Status of organic agriculture in Sri Lanka with special emphasis on tea production systems (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Ute Williges

Informations

• Publié par: justus-liebig-universitat_giessen
• Publié le: 01 janvier 2005
• Nombre de lectures: 15
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 6 Mo

Extrait

Status of organic agriculture in Sri Lanka
with special emphasis on tea production systems
(Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)



Dissertation
zur Erlangung des Grades
„Doktor der Agrarwissenschaften“
am Fachbereich Pflanzenbau
der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen




PhD Thesis
Faculty of Plant Production,
Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen






vorgelegt von / submitted by
Ute Williges



OCTOBER 2004
Acknowledgement

The author gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance received from the German
Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD) for the field
work in Sri Lanka over a peroid of two years and the „Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsprogramm
(HWP)“ for supporting the compilation of the thesis afterwards in Germany.

My sincere thanks goes to my teacher Prof. Dr. J. Sauerborn whose continuous supervision and
companionship accompanied me throughout this work and period of live. Further I want to thank
Prof. Dr. Wegener and Prof. Dr. Leithold for their support regarding parts of the thesis and Dr.
Hollenhorst for his advice carrying out the statistical analysis. My appreciation goes to Dr.
Nanadasena and Dr. Mohotti for their generous provision of laboratory facilities in Sri Lanka. My
special thanks goes to Mr. Ekanayeke whose thoughts have given me a good insight view in tea
cultivation.

I want to mention that parts of the study were carried out in co-operation with the Non
Governmental Organisation Gami Seva Sevana, Galaha, Bio Foods (Pvt) Ltd., Bowalawatta, the
Tea Research Institute (TRI) of Sri Lanka, Talawakele; The Tea Small Holders Development
Authority (TSHDA), Regional Extension Centre, Sooriyagoda; The Post Graduate Institute of
Agriculture (PGIA), Department of Soil Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya and The
Natural Resources Management Services (NRMS), Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Polgolla.
Representing the many people behind these institutions I like to name Mr. Ranjith de Silva, Dr.
Sarath Ranaweera, Dr. Modder, Mr. Ashoka Someratne and Mr. Roger White.

Apart from the research I want to express my deep appreciation for the hospitality and genuine
friendliness my family experienced during our stay in Sri Lanka.

Last but not least I want to thank my parents, in laws, husband and children for supporting me
throughout this challenging period of life.

IIContents


CONTENTS
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1
Part I Background........................................................................................................................ 4
2 Sri Lanka................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Location, population, climate, geography 4
2.2 Economic and social situation 6
2.3 Agriculture 8
2.3.1 Traditional cultivation systems in Sri Lanka........................................................... 8
2.3.2 Chena cultivation (slash and burn) .......................................................................... 8
2.3.3 Forest Gardens......................................................................................................... 9
2.3.4 Alternative practices.............................................................................................. 10
2.4 Land use pattern 10
2.5 Animal husbandry 11
2.6 Ecology
3 Tea......................................................................................................................................... 14
3.1 Botany 14
3.2 Ecophysiological requirements
3.3 Propagation
3.4 Fertilisation 15
3.5 Pruning
3.6 Plucking
3.7 Plant protection
3.8 Processing 16
3.9 Tea growing in Sri Lanka
3.10 History of tea planting 17
3.11 Tea area changes 18
4 Organic Agriculture ............................................................................................................ 20 Contents

4.1 World statistics of organic agriculture 20
4.2 Literature resources21
4.3 Organic production in Sri Lanka21
4.3.1 Development, history and recent situation ............................................................ 21
4.3.2 Organic crops grown in Sri Lanka......................................................................... 24
4.3.3 Certification........................................................................................................... 26
4.3.4 Official recognition ............................................................................................... 26
Part II Tea production systems .................................................................................................. 28
5 From subsistence farming to market production: Present role and future potential of
the smallholders organic tea cultivation system in the mid country of Sri Lanka ................ 28
5.1 Introduction 28
5.2 Material and methods30
5.2.1Natural conditions of the research area Udapalatha .............................................. 30
5.2.2Field study ............................................................................................................. 30
5.3 Smallholders organic tea cultivation in 1998 – survey results 34
5.3.1 Group details of organic tea smallholders ............................................................. 34
5.3.2 Plant production system ........................................................................................ 37
5.3.3 Animal husbandry ................................................................................................. 39
5.3.4 Manuring ............................................................................................................... 39
5.3.5 Plant protection...................................................................................................... 40
5.3.6 Processing, marketing, infrastructure .................................................................... 40
5.3.7 Yield comparison................................................................................................... 41
5.3.8 Economic position and productivity...................................................................... 42
5.4 Discussion 47
5.5 Conclusion49
6 Production details of organic tea estates in Sri Lanka..................................................... 50
6.1 Introduction 50
6.2 Plant production50
6.3 Animal production50
6.4 Manuring51
6.4.1 Composting............................................................................................................ 51
6.4.2 Trench composting ................................................................................................ 52
IIContents

6.4.3 Mulching................................................................................................................ 52
6.4.4 Oil cakes 53
6.5 Extracts for plant protection and growth enhancement 54
6.6 Weed management 54
6.7 Processing, marketing and infrastructure55
6.8 Economy and productivity55
6.9 Conclusion55
Part III Field and laboratory investigations ............................................................................. 57
7 Effect of organic amendments on the establishment and growth of Camellia sinensis.57
7.1 Introduction 57
7.2 Material and methods58
7.2.1Location and climate ............................................................................................. 58
7.2.2Set up of field experiment for plant establishment and growth evaluation........... 58
7.2.3 Chemical analysis and nutrient determination of soil, manure and mulch samples
60
7.2.4 Impact through mulching of Cymbopogon nardus................................................ 60
7.2.5 Chemical composition and application rates of organic manure........................... 61
7.2.6 Growth assessment ................................................................................................ 62
7.2.7 Statistical analysis ................................................................................................. 62
7.3 Results and discussion 65
7.3.1Initial soil status and changes through the application of organic amendments ... 65
7.3.2Growth assessment 69
7.4 Conclusions73
8 Effect of organic amendments on the yield of Camellia sinensis..................................... 74
8.1 Introduction74
8.2 Material and methods 74
8.2.1Set up of field experiment ..................................................................................... 74
8.2.2Climatic conditions................................................................................................ 74
8.2.3Chemical analysis and nutrient determination of soil, manure, leaf and mulch
samples 75
8.3 Results 75 IIIContents

8.3.1 Soil nutrient status ................................................................................................. 75
8.3.2 Manure nutrient status ........................................................................................... 76
8.3.3 Leaf nutrient status ..