Organic technology of tea production at Black sea coast of Krasnodar region

This paper presents preliminary results of the first try to introduce organic technology of tea leaves production at the resort area on the Black Sea coasts in Krasnodar district. The named technology is introduced on the tea gardens of the firm “Matsetinskyi tea” in 2007. Tea gardens situated on hill slopes which have elevation 350 above the sea level. Experimental plots (three on each of two gardens) were situated 170 m apart down along the slope of a range of Caucasus mountains. Soil and leaf samples were taken at leaf harvesting time in June 2015. Chemical analysis of soil and leaves were carried out in accordance with recommendations adopted by Georgia Institute of subtropical crops. Tea leaves for analysis and yield on experimental plots were collected five times during the season. Chemical analysis of nutrient content in the leaves, and quality of tea have been done in the analytical laboratory of the Agrotechnological Institute Of PFUR. Preliminary results of experiment revealed rather notable decrease of total yields of leaves in both gardens in comparison with previous yields when mineral fertilizers were applied annually in the rate N300P150K150. Decrease of the yield may be explained by the decrease of nutrient supply due to slow nutrient release by mineralization from trimming materials. Dead leaves, cut weeds and tea bush trimmings, which are the only source of nutrients might be added to the soil. Lower yields at the top of the hills also correlate with lower supply of organic material to the soil on the top of the hills. Thorough analysis has to be done to determine ‘for’ and ‘contra’ to organic tea production taking into account loses of yield and gains in cost of production decrease and possible higher price for organic tea. Positive affect of organic technology of tea production on ecology should be also accounted for.