EFFECT OF MULCHING LAND BY ORGANIC MATERIALS ON TEA VARITY PH10 IN PHU THO

Abstract

In order to determine effect of mulching land by organic materials on tea variety PH10 which was 3 years old, the study was conducted from 2013 to 2014 in Phu Tho. Mulching materials were plant residuals which were fern, rice straw, mixed of plants, used with an amount 25 ton/ha. The results showed that all mulching materials increased soil humidity in raining season (2.8 to 4.4%); increased plant base (0.1 to 0.25 cm); increased length of transportation roots (54.3 to 109.7 cm); increased  weight of absorption roots (4.6 to 7 g/25 cm³); increased tea yield from 0.16 to 0.38 ton/ha. The best material was fern because it increased soil aeration, gained highest plant base, increased length of absorption roots, shoot length and gained highest yield. Mulching by rice straw and mixed of plant residuals gained similar tea yield, mulching by rice straw was better because it increased plant canopy and shoot weight.