Author(s): R. KUMARAND B. BERA

Abstract: The physiological responses and yield of china-type high quality Darjeeling tea (Camellia sinensis L) clone T78 to organic and inorganic fertilization were investigated in the Darjeeling Hills during the different seasons of 2007 to 2010. Highest photo synthetic rate (PN) was observed with the application of 60:30:60 kg-ha basal through CAN, RP and MOP (T6), which was followed by farmyard manure (FYM) @ 5 tones+30:30:60 kg-ha basal through Urea, RP and MOP (T3) but the lowest with the application of FYM @ 10 tones-ha (T2). The maximum value of Pn was recorded in T6 during autumn, giving 38.6 percent increase over the control (T1), whereas in rains the lowest increase over the control (13.7 percent) was recorded with 60:30:60 kg-habasal through Urea, RP and MOP (T4). In general, higher PN coincided with higher Lvalues. T6 recorded highest transpiration rate (E) than other treatments. E increases in most of the treatments during rain. In general, the decrease in stomatal conductance (gs) was more pronounced in moisture stress period. The maximum value of gs was recorded in autumn in T6. In all treatments, vapour pressure deficit (VPD) was highest in summer and higher in autumn and winter than rain. Chlorophyll content (Chl) was greater in fertilized plots. Chl was recorded highest during autumn and lowest in moisture stress period. T6 showed maximum Chl and T1 recorded lowest. A positive correlation between Chl content and Pn existed in the present study. Highest yield was recorded in T6 and increased 47 percent over T1. The relation between photosynthesis and yield in tea are discussed.

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