Systematic fertilizing stressed

Ramani KANGARAACHCHI

Proper fertilizing of tea is essential to minimize fertilizer input cost and maximize profitability, acting Head of Soils and Plant Nutrition Division, Tea Research Institute A.K.N. Zoysa said at a seminar held for stakeholders of the tea industry held at Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Services Centre, Colombo.

He said that it is not possible to get bountiful yields to achieve this unless proper fertilization take place. It also helps to replenish depleted nutrients from the soil and increase their retention for plant uptake.

Pointing out the ways and means of minimizing losses and increasing harvest and nutrients he said by establishing shade trees and wind breaks adding compost and increase organic carbon in soil, following good agricultural practices right timing of fertilizer application would help to achieve these objectives saving huge amount of money, he said.