Tea Factory Firewood Ash as a Potential Plant Nutrient Source for Mature Tea

kg/ha 8/3/2018 Tea Factory Firewood Ash as a Potential Plant Nutrient Source for Mature Tea GP Gunaratne, WMS Wijayathunge RKA Amali, WTB Priyantha and JRY Abeywardhana Soils & Plant Nutrition Division Tea Research I nstitute of Sri Lanka Fertilizer Load per unit of arable land in Sri Lanka 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Year Fig.1 Local Fertiliser Load per unit arable land (NFS, Update 2014) Tea Research I nstitute of Sri Lanka 1

kg/ha 8/3/2018 Fertilizer Load per unit tea land in Sri Lanka 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year Fig.2 Local Fertiliser Load per unit tea land (NFS, Update 2014) Tea Research I nstitute of Sri Lanka Fertilizer Usage in Tea Straight Fertilizer Usage in Tea (Tons) Cost (Rs. billions) Urea 96,478 6.37 Muriate of Potash 34,387 2.24 Kieserite 28,065 1.68 Sulphate of Ammonia 28,065 0.94 40% - 60% of conventionally applied fertilizer goes unutilized!!!!!! 2

Present Research Focus - Fertiliser-Use Efficiency Conventional Soil Fertility Management strategies Enhancing organic matter contents in soil - Retention of plant nutrients brought about through fertilizer application by key GAP adaptation Innovative technologies Nano-technology based Slow Releasing Fertilizers Plant Growth Promoting Rhizo-bacteria (PGPR) - N fixers & inoculants Bio char (In situ preparation; act to enhance CEC) SSFR Precise/accurate deliveries Recycling waste materials Sewage sludge (removal of heavy metals) Wood ash (mixed with OM to alter high ph) Tea Research I nstitute of Sri Lanka Tea Factory Wood ash In Chena cultivation, first they slash area of forest/jungle, and then burn to clear it of existing vegetation. Then seed is thrown. The manufacture of black tea from green leaf delivered to the factory involves several processes and the firewood ash released through the drying stage 20-50kg /day of wood ash is being produced in a tea factory for a day. Wood ash is the waste product coming from tea manufacture which contains variable concentrations of minerals 3

Chemical composition of rubber wood ash Property Composition ph 13.66 Electrical Conductivity 5.58 ms/cm Organic carbon 0.16 % Nitrogen 0.13 % Potassium 7.26 % Phosphorous 0.78 % Sulphur 1.13 % Magnesium 2.15 % Calcium 24.91 % Boron 1337 ppm Iron 723 ppm Zinc 255 ppm Copper 135 ppm Manganese 1432 ppm Limitations High ph Low Nitrogen content 4

What is ph-buffering? Buffering :Resistance to changes : ph-buffer Systems in soils Carbonate buffer system (alkaline ph range) Phosphate buffer system (whole ph range) Exchange buffer system (whole ph range) Aluminum buffer system (extremely acidic range) Tea Research I nstitute of Sri Lanka Characterization of soils in tea growing regions Sri Lanka (Liyanage et al, 2010) Class 1 (High) Soil Series Class 2 (Medium) Soil Series Class 3 (Low) Soil Series Mattakelle Hunnasgiriya, Ukuwela Bandarawela NuwaraEliya Malaboda. Maskeliya Akurana Kandy, Mahawellathenna Pallegoda Dodangoda, Beliatta Galigamuwa Weddagala, Ragala Matale Rikillagaskada The variations of ph buffering capacities in different soils were observed Tea Research I nstitute of Sri Lanka 5

Objectives Specific objectives To evaluate ph and nutrient changes in soil by incorporation of wood ash To evaluate plant growth and nutrient uptake by incorporation of wood ash General objective To investigate on suitability of tea factory wood ash as a plant nutrient source for mature tea Methodology Locations: St. Coombs Estate (High ph buffering soil) Moragalla Estate (Low ph buffering soil) 6

St Coombs estate Soil properties Soil Property Value ph 4.65 Organic carbon % 3.08 Soil P (mg/kg) 45 Soil K (mg/kg) 151 Soil Mg (mg/kg) 117 CEC (milli equalant/100g) 15.5 Moragolla estate Soil Property Value ph 4.4 Organic carbon % 1.07 Soil P (mg/kg) 23 Soil K (mg/kg) 97 Soil Mg (mg/kg) 71 CEC (milli equalant/100g) 4.5 Methodology contd. Treatments (St coombs trial) T1 T2 wood ash (WA) (1ton/ha/yr) + Refuse tea (RT) (20ton/ha/yr) wood ash (WA) (2ton/ha/yr) + Refuse tea (RT) (20ton/ha/yr T3 wood ash (WA) (1ton/ha/yr) + Refuse tea (RT) (20ton/ha/yr) + Urea (270 N kg/ha/yr) T4 wood ash (WA) (2ton/ha/yr) + Refuse tea (RT) (20ton/ha/yr) + Urea (270 N kg/ha/yr) T5 Present TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPUM 910) Wood ash and Refuse tea were mixed prior to application. And it was applied once a year. 1 st urea application was done 6 weeks after Wood ash application of T3 &T4 7

Methodology contd. Treatments (Moragolla estate Trial) T1 T2 wood ash (WA) (1ton/ha/yr) + Refuse tea (RT) (20ton/ha/yr) wood ash (WA) (2ton/ha/yr) + Refuse tea (RT) (20ton/ha/yr T3 wood ash (WA) (1ton/ha/yr) + Refuse tea (RT) (20ton/ha/yr) + Urea (270N kg/ha/yr) T4 wood ash (WA) (2ton/ha/yr) + Refuse tea (RT) (20ton/ha/yr) + Urea (270N kg/ha/yr) T5 T6 wood ash (WA) (1ton/ha/yr) + Compost (20ton/ha/yr) wood ash (WA) (2ton/ha/yr) + Compost (20ton/ha/yr T7 wood ash (WA) (1ton/ha/yr) + Compost (20ton/ha/yr) + Urea (270N kg/ha/yr) T8 wood ash (WA) (2ton/ha/yr) + Compost (20ton/ha/yr) + Urea (270N kg/ha/yr) T9 Present TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPLC 880) Chemical composition of compost and refuse tea Property Composition Compost Refuse Tea ph 7.80 4.88 Organic carbon 36.50 % 38.00 % Nitrogen 3.00 % 2.50 % C:N ratio 12.16 15.20 Phosphorous 0.40 % 0.34 % Potassium 1.4 % 2.1 % Magnesium 0.35 % 0.19 % Calcium 1.01 % 0.34 % 8

Nutrient added (kg/ha/yr) Treatments N P 2 O 5 K 2 O MgO WA (1t) + RT (20t) 125 (500) 57 215 50 WA (2t) + RT (20t) 125 75 303 84 WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 395 57 215 50 WA (2t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 395 75 303 84 WA (1t) + Compost (20t) 150 (600) 64 173 62 WA (2t) + Compost (20t) 150 82 260 97 WA (1t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 420 64 173 62 WA (2t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 420 82 260 97 TRI Current Fertilizer recommendation 270 35 120 - The nutrient supplied from refuse tea and compost were estimated at 25% mineralizing rate Results and discussion 18 9

ph 8/3/2018 St Coombs estate: Soil ph Treatments ph (At 3 months) ph (At 12 months) WA (1t) + RT (20t) 5.49a 5.39a WA (2t) + RT (20t) 5.58a 5.42a WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 5.00a 4.95a WA (2t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 5.10a 4.99a TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPUM 910) 4.99a 4.71a LSD NS NS Optimum ph range 4.5-5.5 St coombs estate Soil ph 6 5.5 5 4.5 4 3.5 3 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Treatment At 3 months At 12 months 10

ph 8/3/2018 Moragolla estate: Soil ph Treatments ph (3 month) ph (12 month) WA (1t) + RT (20t) 5.50a 4.36a WA (2t) + RT (20t) 5.58a 4.39ab WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 5.21ab 4.11ab WA (2t) + Refuse tea (20t) + Urea (270N) 5.15ab 4.08ab WA (1t) + Compost (20t) 5.14ab 4.51a WA (2t) + Compost (20t) 5.14ab 4.49ab WA (1t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 5.10ab 4.45ab WA (2t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 4.80b 4.48ab Present TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPLC 880) 4.75b 4.01b LSD 0.48 0.48 Moragolla estate Soil ph 6 5.5 5 4.5 4 3.5 3 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 Treatment At 3 months At 12 months 11

St coombs estate: Available Soil P and K (mg/kg) Treatments Soil P mg/kg Soil K mg/kg WA (1t) + RT (20t) 71a 541a WA (2t) + RT (20t) 89a 543a WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 63a 368abc WA (2t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 76a 441ab TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPUM 910) 45a 239bc LSD NS 230.42 Optimum P Level >20 mg/kg Optimum K level >100 mg/kg Moragolla estate: Available Soil P and K Treatments P K WA (1t) + RT (20t) 25ab 178abc WA (2t) + RT (20t) 28b 225a WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 35ab 144abc WA (2t) + Refuse tea (20t) + Urea (270N) 31ab 127bc WA (1t) + Compost (20t) 43ab 214a WA (2t) + Compost (20t) 51ab 227a WA (1t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 69a 142abc WA (2t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 72a 156abc Present TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPLC 880) 49ab 123bc LSD 50.39 95.05 12

St coombs estate : Available Soil Mg and Ca mg/kg) Treatments Soil Mg Soil Ca WA (1t) + RT (20t) 214a 1145a WA (2t) + RT (20t) 184a 1220a WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 246a 909a WA (2t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 190a 1148a TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPUM 910) 156a 957a LSD NS NS Optimum Mg Level >60 mg/kg Moragolla estate : Available Soil Mg and Ca Treatments Mg Ca WA (1t) + RT (20t) 81a 308a WA (2t) + RT (20t) 80a 314a WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 76a 306a WA (2t) + Refuse tea (20t) + Urea (270N) 138a 539a WA (1t) + Compost (20t) 135a 535a WA (2t) + Compost (20t) 138a 559a WA (1t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 121a 481a WA (2t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 169a 358a Present TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPLC 880) 109a LSD NS NS 415a 13

St Coombs estate: Leaf N, P and K Treatments N % P % K % WA (1t) + RT (20t) 2.90a 0.133a 1.63a WA (2t) + RT (20t) 2.80a 0.126a 1.60a WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 2.93a 0.153a 1.70a WA (2t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 3.00a 0.140a 1.72a TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPUM 910) 3.05a 0.120a 1.70a LSD NS NS NS Optimum N level 2.78-3.39 % Optimum P level 0.12-0.15 % Optimum K level 0.91-1.24 % Moragolla estate: Leaf N, P and K Treatments N% P% K% WA (1t) + RT (20t) 2.54b 0.24ab 1.22ab WA (2t) + RT (20t) 2.66a 0.24ab 1.23ab WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 2.54b 0.24ab 1.17ab WA (2t) + Refuse tea (20t) + Urea (270N) 2.59b 0.26ab 1.31a WA (1t) + Compost (20t) 2.76ab 0.28a 1.22ab WA (2t) + Compost (20t) 2.90ab 0.25ab 1.23ab WA (1t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 2.59b 0.23b 1.17ab WA (2t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 2.72ab 0.23b 1.24ab Present TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPLC 880) 2.62b 0.24ab 1.12b LSD 0.549 0.051 0.192 14

St Coombs estate: Leaf Mg and Ca Treatments Mg % Ca % WA (1t) + RT (20t) 0.22a 1.17a WA (2t) + RT (20t) 0.22a 1.23a WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 0.23a 1.15a WA (2t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 0.21a 1.14a TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPUM 910) 0.21a 1.21a LSD NS NS Optimum Mg level 0.13 0.20 % Moragolla estate: Leaf Mg and Ca Treatments Mg% Ca% WA (1t) + RT (20t) 0.35a 1.53bc WA (2t) + RT (20t) 0.33a 1.89ab WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 0.32a 1.73ab WA (2t) + Refuse tea (20t) + Urea (270N) 0.33a 1.89ab WA (1t) + Compost (20t) 0.36a 1.58abc WA (2t) + Compost (20t) 0.37a 1.95a WA (1t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 0.33a 1.77ab WA (2t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 0.33a 1.88ab Present TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPLC 880) 0.30a 1.25dc LSD NS 0.376 15

Yield [kg/ha/yr) 8/3/2018 St Coombs estate: Yield (made tea kg/ha/yr) Treatments WA (1t) + RT (20t) WA (2t) + RT (20t) WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) WA (2t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPUM 910) LSD Yield 2581a 2568a 2701a 2672a 2638a NS St Coombs estate: Yield (made tea kg/ha/yr) 2800 2700 2600 2500 2400 2300 2200 2100 2000 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Treatments Yield in Wood ash applied plots are comparable 16

Yield [kg/ha/yr] 8/3/2018 Moragolla estate: Yield (made tea kg/ha/yr) Treatments WA (1t) + RT (20t) WA (2t) + RT (20t) WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) WA (2t) + Refuse tea (20t) + Urea (270N) WA (1t) + Compost (20t) WA (2t) + Compost (20t) WA (1t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) WA (2t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) Present TRI ground fertilizer recommendation (VPLC 880) Yield 2718bc 2792bc 3008ab 3100ab 2937abc 3008ab 3082ab 3354a 3052ab LSD 524.66 Moragolla estate: Yield (made tea kg/ha/yr) 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 Treatments Yield in Wood ash applied plots are comparable 17

Cost / Benefit analysis ( With Fertilizer subsidy) Treatment Yield Income Total Cost Profit T1 2,718 1,698,750 1,191,741 (1,891,741) T2 2,792 1,745,000 1,223,274 (1,923,274) T3 3,008 1,880,000 1,318,641 (2,018,641) T4 3,100 1,937,500 1,357,408 (2,057,408) 507,009 (-192,991) 521,726 (-178,274) 561,359 (-138,641) 580,092 (-119,908) T5 2,937 1835,625 1,471,113 354,512 T6 3,008 1,880,000 1,501,031 378,969 T7 3,082 1,926,250 1,549,823 376,427 T8 3,354 2,096,250 1,650,284 445,966 T9 3,052 1,907,500 1,353,011 554,489 Conclusive Remarks: Soil and leaf nutrient levels and yield improvement by application of tea factory wood ash are comparable with TRI fertilizer recommendation, irrespective of soil type. The application of factory wood ash with refuse tea/ compost and urea can be proposed as a potential nutrient sources for mature tea. 18

Acknowledgement CEO, MD, Talawakele Plantations PLC Managers and Asst. Managers, Field staff Moragolla estate Tea Research I nstitute of Sri Lanka THANK YOU Tea Research I nstitute of Sri Lanka 19

ph buffering in blood Nutrient added (kg/ha/yr) Treatments N P 2 O 5 K 2 O MgO WA (1t) + RT (20t) 125 (500) 57 215 50 WA (2t) + RT (20t) 125 75 303 84 WA (1t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 395 57 215 50 WA (2t) + RT (20t) + Urea (270N) 395 75 303 84 WA (1t) + Compost (20t) 150 (600) 64 173 62 WA (2t) + Compost (20t) 150 82 260 97 WA (1t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 420 64 173 62 WA (2t) + Compost (20t) + Urea (270N) 420 82 260 97 TRI Current Fertilizer recommendation 270 35 120 - The nutrient supplied from refuse tea and compost were estimated at 25% mineralizing rate 20