Saini, B.C.Singh, Sunil Kumar2019-10-172019-10-172005-07http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810131805This investigation was conducted to study the impact of soil and climatic factors on the growth and yield of 8 years old tea bushes grown in the research block of Tea Research Centre, Kausani of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. Tea bushes were pruned in January 2003 and 130 kg nitrogen, 65 kg phosphorus and 130 kg potash /ha were applied in two equal doses in March and July every year. The present experiment was conducted during the years 2004 and 2005 under rainfed conditions. There were three treatments of plucking intervals and nine replications. Each plot consisted of 24 experimental bushes planted in double hedge system (105Х60Х60cm). Available water of experimental soil was 23.3 cm per meter of soil depth However, about 50% of available water is depleted at soil moisture potential higher than - 0.2Mpa. During 2004, total soil moisture in 90 cm soil profile was highest in July (32.7 cm) and lowest in the month of May (7.1 cm) and during March to May percent annual crop was 9.6 only. Total net radiation (Rn) above tea bushes was greatest in the month of May (14.6 MJ m-2 day-1) followed by June, April and March with Rn greater than 12 MJ m-2 day-1. In both years highest green leaf yield was obtained in 9 days plucking interval. In general, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake was highest in 9 days plucking interval followed by 7 and 5 days plucking intervals. Green leaf yields were 5276, 5002 and 5532 kg/ha in 5, 7 and 9 days plucking intervals in 2004. Similarly, during the summer months of 2005, these values were 2450, 2301 and 3020 kg/ha in the same order. Highest green leaf yield was obtained in June (1354 kg/ha) and in April (1073 kg/ha) in 2004 and 2005, respectively. In the present study, average annual green leaf yield of 5274 kg/ha was obtained which may be further increased by exploiting the solar energy by providing irrigations during summer months and by providing mulch for water conservation. Suitable shade tree has the capacity of lowering the day temperature in summer and increasing the night temperature during winter and may also tried at tea plantations in Uttaranchal.enThesis