Effect of increasing levels of nitrogen on yield of tea in different agro-ecological conditions of Pakistan

Field experiment was conducted on mature tea bushes of Qi-Men variety at two different altitudes from sea level i.e. at National Tea Research Institute Shinkiari （1000 m） and on farmer＇s field in Konsh valley at village Battal （1500 m）. Different levels of nitrogen with constant dose of phosphorus and potassium were applied to observe the optimal dose of nutrients for highest yield under local edaphic conditions. The experiment was repeated for three consecutive years. The highest yield of fresh tea leaves were obtained by the application of 420 kg ha^-1 N followed by the application of 360 kg ha^-1 N at 1000 masl. The highest dose of nitrogen also reduced significantly the soil pH in the upper （0-15cm） layer depth during 1998 and 1999. During the year 2000, the reduction in soil pH was observed by the application of highest dose of nitrogen but was non-significant at 5% level. The lower soil depth （15-30 cm） showed the reduction in pH with the highest dose of nitrogen during the experimental year but was statistically non significant. At the higher altitude of 1500 masl the highest yield of fresh tea leaves was obtained by the application of 420 kg ha^-1 during the experimental years but the increase was significant during the year 1999 and 2000. The yield of the fresh tea leaves was positively correlated with the amount of nitrogen application at both the altitudes. The increasing amount of nitrogen decreased the soil pH at both the depths of 0-15cm and 15-30cm. Unlike the lower altitude （1000 m） there was no any significant reduction in the soil pH during 1998 and 1999. A significant reduction in soil pH was found in the year 2000.