Assessing the Impact of Gas Flaring on Tea Plants in the South of Kothaloni OCS in the District of Dibrugarh, Assam, India
Ripsita Phukan *
Department of Tea Husbandry and Technology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
Indra Prasad Sahewalla
Department of Tea Husbandry and Technology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
Diganta Kumar Bora
Department of Tea Husbandry and Technology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Effect of gas flaring on physiology and growth of tea plants was done by using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and analysis was done accommodating two seasons and five levels of distances during September 2019-March 2020. Plant samples were collected from (40-50) metres, (50-60) metres, (60-70) metres, (70-80) metres and control site (150-160) metres away from the tea garden situated south of kothaloni OCS in rainy and autumn seasons. The experimental plot was laid out at a distance of 40 metres away from the flare pit. The mean value of plant parameters namely relative turgidity, tea leaf area ,specific leaf weight, stomatal count, caffeine content, chlorophyll content, polyphenol content and plucking point density were decreased near the gas flaring while mean value of water saturation deficit of tea leaves recorded highest at distances closest to the flaring site.
Keywords: Gas flaring, seasons, distance