Assessment of soil fertility status in silcoorie tea estate, Assam, North east India

A short term pre-monsoon field study has been conducted to determine the soil fertility status in Silcoorie Tea Estate of Cachar district, Assam, North East India. Soil samples were collected from six different sections of the tea estate. Physico-chemical properties of the soil, i.e., texture, moisture content, bulk density, water holding capacity, total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), total potassium (K), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (SOM), pH, electrical conductivity, C:N ratios from four different depths were analyzed. The soil of the tea garden is sandy clay and silt loam in texture with acidic pH (~4.2). The average SOC, SOM content, total N, K and P contents of the soil were found to be quite lower than the critical value considered ideal for tea cultivation. Lime treatment and/or organic base fertilizer for maintaining the active acidity level, proper nutrient management practices like retention of pruning litters, shade tree droppings and weed mass, use of bio-fertilizers are recommended to achieve sustainable productivity.