Impact of sources and doses of potassium on biochemical and greenleaf parameters of tea

Effect of different sources and doses of K on certain biochemical parameters, such as carotenoids, chlorophyll, polyphenols, catechins, amino acids and nutrient contents, such as phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, potassium and nitrogen, in tea flush shoots comprising three leaves with a bud were studied. The relationship existing for polyphenols and carotenoids with amino acids was inversely proportional, while leaf nitrogen had a positive and significant correlation coefficient with amino acids. Even though a linear increase in the biochemical parameters was noticed against rate of potassium application, a comparatively small quantity was sufficient to improve the same parameter in the case of sulphate of potash (SOP). Neither of the two sources influenced the chlorophyll content of tea shoots, irrespective of their doses over control. The ideal N:K ratios for maximum productivity and biochemical parameters would be 1:0.83 or 1:0.62 if the source of K is muriate of potash (MOP), while it is 1:0.21 or 1:0.42 for SOP.