Role of biofertilizers in increasing tea productivity

Abstract

To increase the tea productivity using biofertilizers like VAM fungi, phosphobacteria, Azosprillium. Nitrogen fixing Azospirillum, phosphate solubilising bacteria and VAM fungi were isolated from tea soils of southern India and region specific potential strains were selected based on laboratory, greenhouse, as well as field experiments. A technology for their mass multiplication has been developed. Biofertilizers were showed higher yield at the rate of 5g/seedling and VAM fungi with 15 g of formulation/bush. Multifunctional biofertilizers were used to reduce the chemical fertilizers, diseases and to increase soil fertility in tea.