Field Performance Evaluation of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) to the Application of Different Organic Wastes under Southwest Nigeria

Aims: To assess the field establishment of two tea cultivars under Cocoa Pod Husk (CPH) and Poultry Manure (PM).

Study Design: Randomized complete block design arranged in Split-plots (cultivars as main plots and organic amendments as sub-plots) with four replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria stations in Ibadan and Owena, Southwest Nigeria between May 2016 and November 2017 (Rainy and dry seasons of 2016; Rainy season of 2017).

Methodology: Milled CPH and cured PM were applied each at the rates of 150 and 300 kg Nha-1 to established C143 and C318 tea cultivars on the field; unfertilized tea cultivars served as control. Data on number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area, plant height and stem diameter were collected on monthly basis; while dry matter was assessed at 15 months after transplanting. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and correlation at α.05.

Results: The C143 performed better than C318 and 150 kg Nha-1 of CPH and PM enhanced the vegetative growth and dry matter of tea better than 300 kg Nha-1 in Ibadan and Owena. Cultivar 143 was significantly (P=0.05) better than cultivar 318 in number of leaves, number of branches and stem diameter in Ibadan; and in number of leaves and leaf area in Owena. CPH at 150 kg Nha-1 increased number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area, plant height and total dry matter by 135.11, 88.19, 346.12, 65.33 and 428.11% at Ibadan; and by 349.09, 245.41, 376.89, 80.89 and 231.49% at Owena, compared to control. On the interaction, tea cultivar 143 that received 150 kg Nha-1 CPH produced significantly (P=0.05) higher number of leaves, leaf area and total dry matter at Ibadan and Owena. Leaf area was positively correlated with number of leaves (r=0.87) in Ibadan and stem diameter (r=0.80) in Owena.

Conclusion: CPH at 150 kg Nha-1 enhanced the growth and dry matter content of C143 tea established on the field in Ibadan and Owena, and is therefore recommended for tea cultivation in Southwest of Nigeria.