Effect of Different Mulches on Soil Fertility and Nutrient Uptake by Tea in Kenya

Abstract

The effect of different types of mulches on soil fertility and nutrient uptake by tea plants Camellia sinensis , was investigated in two field experiments in Kenya. The grass mulches of Eragrostis curvula, Napier and Guatemala maintained or increased levels of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. However, these mulches had different effect on the uptake of these nutrients. Where-as all the grass mulches increased the uptake of N and P, only the Napier grass significantly increased the uptake of K but in both experiments E. curvlila mulch had a depressing effect on the uptake of K. The increased uptake of nutrients, particularly N and P, was attributed to the addition of these elements in the soil by the mulches, prevention of their losses by erosion and profuse feeder root growth observed near the surface which was induced by the mulches.