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Effect of combined microbial biofertilisers and inorganic fertilisers on growth and phenolic content of tea clone GMB 7 


Citation :- Effect of combined microbial biofertilisers and inorganic fertilisers on growth and phenolic content of tea clone GMB 7. Res. Crop. 27: 404-412
INTAN RATNA DEWI ANJARSARI, NABILA RAGIL WIHARTI, YUDITHIA MAXISELLY AND RESTU WULANSARI intan.ratna@unpad.ac.id
Address : Department of Agronomy Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran,, Jl. Raya Bandung-Sumedang Km. 21, Jatinangor, Sumedang 45363, West Java, Indonesia
Submitted Date : 11-04-2026
Accepted Date : 11-06-2026

Abstract

Improving both growth performance and secondary metabolite accumulation is essential for enhancing tea productivity and quality, while excessive reliance on inorganic fertilisers threatens soil health and sustainability. Although biofertilisers offer a sustainable approach to enhance growth and phenolic content limited integrated studies on growth physiology, biochemical traits and application methods necessitate optimisation of their use in tea cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biofertilizer application techniques and dosages on growth characteristics and total phenolic content (TPC) of tea clone GMB 7. A field experiment was conducted from January to August 2024 at the Experimental Field of the Research Institute for Tea and Cinchona, Gambung, Indonesia. The experiment employed a split-plot design with two application techniques as main plots (foliar spray and soil drenching) and four biofertilizer dosages as subplots (0, 15, 22.5, and 30 L/ha), with three replications The results showed an interaction between the dose of biofertilizer and fertilization technique, as well as significant differences in Plant Growth Rate at 3rd to 5th Plucking, Net Assimilation Rate at 4th and 5th Plucking, and Total Phenolic Content at 1st to 6th Plucking. The results showed significant interaction effects between application technique and dosage on plant growth rate (PGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), and TPC across plucking periods. Soil drenching at 15 L/ha produced the highest PGR at the 5th plucking (0.71500 g/m²/day) and improved NAR (0.05861 g/cm²/day). This treatment also enhanced TPC at the 6th plucking (6227.81 mg GAE/g), compared to the control (5501.82 mg GAE/g). In earlier stages, foliar application at 30 L/ha resulted in the highest TPC at the 1st plucking (1620.86 mg GAE/g), while soil application showed more consistent effects across subsequent pluckings. Higher biofertilizer dosages did not consistently improve growth or phenolic content, indicating a saturation response. In conclusion, biofertilizer application at 15 L/ha using soil drenching is the most effective strategy to enhance growth performance and phenolic content of tea clone GMB 7, supporting sustainable tea cultivation.

Keywords

Biofertilizer Camellia sinensis net assimilation rate phenolic   content   plant growth rate sustainable agriculture 


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