Soil quality index as affected by temporal long term tea cultivation in Jorhat District of Assam

Abstract

Aim: The investigation was undertaken to identify the Minimum Data Set (MDS) for Soil Quality Index (SQI) assessment in continuouslong-term tea cultivation systems. Methodology: In the study under very deep, fine loamy, well-drained soil, five age groups of tea plantations viz. less than 15 years, 15-30 years, 30-45 years, 45-60 years and more than 60 years were selected and identified minimum data set and soil quality index. Results: In very deep, fine loamy, well-drained soil under continuous tea cultivation, SQI, 14.74 was obtained for less than 15 years, 14.06 for 15-30 years, 11.12 for 30-45 years, 12.94 for 45-60 years and 11.37 for more than 60 years of plantation, respectively. Interpretation: The most sensitive soil quality indicators identified in very deep, fine loamy, well-drained soil were pH for less than 15 years, total nitrogen for 15-30 years, available nitrogen for 30-45 years, organic carbon for 45-60 years and exchangeable aluminium for more than 60 years of continuous tea cultivation.