Knowledge · Crop Programs

Tea Fertilizer Program

AgriOne’s tea program is staged by plant age: T-65 for nursery plantings, T-200 after the first and second year, and T-750 from the third year until pruning. Mature bushes can also move onto the bulk U-709 / U-834 / T-1240/ UT-1625 blends. Apply every 3 months and even broadcast.

How much fertilizer does tea need, by growth stage?

Growth StageProductApplication RateFrequency
Nursery (After 3 months)T-6535g diluted in 5L water for 120 plantsEvery 2 weeks
Nursery (After 6 months)T-6570g diluted in 5L water for 120 plantsEvery 2 weeks
After Planting (1st year) Every 2 monthsT-20015g/21g per plant (100kg per ac)Every 3 months
After Planting (2nd year) Every 2 monthsT-20021g/32g per plant (150kg per ac)Every 3 months
From 3rd year until 1st pruningT-750175kg per AcEvery 3 months

AgriOne fertilizer details for mature bushes

ProductFormula (N:P₂O₅:K₂O)Rate of applicationDescription
U-70928:4.5:14125kg per AcRecommended for mature tea plantations. Apply every 3 months.
U-83424:3.6:12:3.6125kg per AcNew into mature. Apply every 3 months.
T-124013:03:08200kg per Acapply every 3 months.
UT-162525:04:13:2150kg per AcApply every 3 months for best performance. Recommended for low country wet zone high yielding plantation.

Also available as bulk fertilizers in VP mixtures and ST mixtures.

When and how to apply

  • Split the recommended mixture into 4 applications per year.
  • Even Broadcast among bushes and apply as much as organic matters.
  • Do not apply during severe dry spells or heavy rain; wait for moist, workable soil.

Soil and field conditions

  • Tea needs slightly acidic soil: pH 4.5 to 5.5, ideal 4.8 to 5.2. Outside this range, nutrient uptake drops regardless of how much you apply.
  • Deep, well-drained soil; waterlogging rots roots.

pH Balancing

To maintain the optimum pH for tea cultivation, test your soil pH through us for free and apply dolomite as shown below before pruning.

To maintain the optimal soil pH shown below, get your soil pH tested by us free of charge, then apply Dolomite as per the table.

Soil pHDolomite (50kg bags per acre)
Below 3.920
3.9 to 4.216
4.2 to 4.512
4.5 to 5.508

Deficiency symptoms and corrections

NutrientSymptoms on teaCorrection
NitrogenPale green leaves, stunted growth, reduced yieldApply recommended fertilizer
Zincsickle-shaped leavesApply zinc as per recommendation
PotassiumLeaf edge scorching, weak shoots, poor qualityApply potassium rich fertilizer
MagnesiumYellowing between veins, reddish marginsApply Kieserite
BoronDeformed young leaves, dieback of shootsApply Borax (foliar/soil)

Pests and diseases worth monitoring

Tea mosquito bug, shot hole borer, red spider mite, scale insects; blister blight, gray blight, and root rot in waterlogged conditions. Follow integrated pest and disease management and consult your field officer before applying crop protection.

  • Mix 5kg of MS-TEA with 50kg of TEA blends which gives the optimum yield.

The products in this program

T-200
T-200
T-750
T-750
U-709
U-709
U-834
U-834
T-65
T-65
Tea Foliar Mix
Tea Foliar Mix
AgriOne T-1240 (16:03:08)
T-1240
AgriOne UT-1625 (25:04:13:1.6)
UT-1625

Need a recommendation for your field?

Message your crop, plant age, and location and we will reply with a plan you can act on.

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