EFFECT OF CONVENTIONAL, ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMIC FARMING SYSTEMS IN TEA

摘要

Studies were conducted to understand the effect of different farming systems on soil properties, quality and productivity of tea. The results of the study carried out for one pruning cycle of three years clearly indicated that the total yield obtainedin organic and biodynamic system of farming was significantly lower than conventional system of farming. The yield decrease varied from 23 to 27 per cent. Maximum yield reduction was noticed in organic treatment followed by biodynamic. Studies on soil properties showed that there was an increase in maximum water holding capacity and porosity and decrease in bulk density in the blocks under organic and biodynamic treatment. There was tremendous increase in soil microbes in biodynamic and organic soils compared to conventional soil. There was no significant increase in quality of made tea in the different treatments.