Pengaruh Dosis dan Interval Pemupukan Zn-30% terhadap Produksi dan Komponen Hasil Tanaman

Abstract
Zinc deficiency (Zn) in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] may inhibit growth and decreases shoots production. To overcome the deficiency, zinc is generally given in the form of zinc sulphate fertilizer (Zn 22.75%) through foliar application. Today there is a micro-fertilizer with a higher zinc consentration (Zn-30%). The research aimed to determine the effect of dosage and application interval of Zn-30% micro fertilizer on production and yield component of tea shoot. The experiment was conducted in Pasirmalang Estate, Afdeling Wetan Block Pakurendeng II, PT Perkebunan Nusantara VIII Pangalengan Bandung, West Java, altitude ±1,600 m asl, from November 2016 to June 2017. The tea clone used was productive GMB 7. Experiments were designed by randomized block design with 2 factors and 4 replications. The first factor is Zn-30% that consisted of 4 levels i.e. Zn-30% with a dose of 300, 250, and 200 g/ha respectively, and  ZnSO4 with a dose of 2 kg as control. The second factor is interval of application that consisted of 2 levels, once and twice applications after plucking. Variables observed were production and yield components of tea shoot. The results showed that application of Zn-30% with a dose of 300 g/ha in one time interval of application after plucking effectively increased shoot production compared to other doses, but not significantly different with ZnSO4 in two time interval of application. Application of Zn, either in the form of oxide salt or zinc sulphate, increased the percentage of pecco shoots and reduces number of banji shoots.