Quality of Tea Soil Induced by Cultivation Period
Sayma Muzib
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Barishal, Barishal – 8254, Bangladesh.
M. Hasinur Rahman
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Barishal, Barishal – 8254, Bangladesh.
Hafiz Ashraful Haque
Department of Coastal Studies and Disaster Management, University of Barishal, Barishal – 8254, Bangladesh.
Ferdouse Zaman Tanu *
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Barishal, Barishal – 8254, Bangladesh.
Azizul Hakim
Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chattogram - 4331, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tea is Bangladesh's second-highest agricultural export earner, and the nation is rated 15th among all tea-exporting nations. To develop and support the tea business in Bangladesh, it is crucial to comprehend the current nutrient status of tea soils. The purpose of the study was to examine the inherent physical and chemical characteristics of tea soils in relation to the effects of soil depth, topography and cultivation periods. The results showed the significant effects of soil depths, topography, and cultivation periods on the measured physical and chemical properties, including texture, bulk density, organic matter (OM), organic carbon (OC), pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The available and total contents of major nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were also significant (P<0.001). The contents of P and K were observed to be lower than the critical values ideal for tea cultivation. However, the results indicated that the soils kept for nutrient restoration for years showed a nutrient status close to the ideal value of tea cultivation.
Keywords: Nutrient status, tea soils, soil depth, topography, cultivation period