Application of shredded prunings improve chemical and biochemical properties of soils

Abstract

Tea bushes are periodically cut from the top (pruned) to maintain their vegetative stage. Prunings contain considerable amount of stems depending on the type of pruning. However, prunings from the stems are quite hard in nature and take about 15 months to decompose under field condition. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of high nitrogen (N)-containing prunings as an organic amendment. Prunings in shredded form enhanced microbial activity, which in turn increased the rate of decomposition and nutrient release in soil. Along with N, available phosphorus content and phosphorus-solubilizing bacterial population in soil also increased. Therefore, shredding could be an effective technique for nutrient supplement in soil through recycling of prunings.