Varieties

Clones      : UPASI  -2, UPASI  -8, UPASI -9, UPASI -17, TRI -2025, TRF -1 

Seedlings  : BSS -1, BSS -2 

Planting Season

Southwest mansoon areas : june-july

Northeast mansoon areas  : Septemper-October

Planting Material

Propagation

The seed viability extends up to 6 months. Before sowing, seeds are put in water and only the sinkers will be used and floaters rejected. Seeds  germinate in 4-6 weeks and the cracked seeds are transplanted in polythene sleeves. The plants will be ready for planting in main field in 9 months.

Manuring of nursery plants

composition of tea nursery mixture is as follows:

Ammonium Phosphate (20:20) : 60 parts

Potassium Sulphate        : 24 parts

(or) Muriate of potash      : 20 parts

Magnesium Sulphate       : 16 parts

Stock solution

Dissolve 30 gram of the mixture in 10 litres of water. This can be sprayed over 2 m²(450 plants) at weekly interval.

Planting method

Field preparation

In the case of new  planting, in order to avoid two incidence of root diseases, after felling the trees, remove the root system to extend possible. Clear the jungle growth but do not burn, the ash being alkaline will increase the pH.

In the case of replanting, remove old Grevillea (silver oak) after ring barking, leaving the young ones in the field. Level the land into an even slope to facilitate easy cultural operations and proper drainage.

The double hedge planting will accommodate more number of plants per unit area. Early high yield, better soil conservation, less weed growth, efficient cultural practices and better supervision are other advantages of double hedge planting.

Pitting

Pits of size 30 cm x 45 cm are taken. Keep the top soil and bottom soil separately. In clayey soil and drought prone areas, deeper pits(60cm) or trench planting will be a adventurous.

Planting

If the soil pH is more than 5.5, apply 100 g of powdered aluminium sulphate per pit and thoroughly mix with soil. Select seedlings of 12 months old. After planting the seedling, compact the soil surrounding the plant and apply mulch @ 25 t per hectare. While mulching care should be taken to keep the much material away from the collar region of the plant by putting a peg above the plant on the slope. Wherever mulch material is a problem, intercrop or cover crop would be raised.

fertilizer

Manuring

Manuring of young tea commences two months after planting. The ratio and source of nutrients vary according to soil reaction(pH).

Rates of fertilizers application for young tea in soils with PH below 4.5 are given below:

Apply Phosphorus at 90 kg per hectare every year in one application. The quantity of fertilizer per bush may be calculated assuming a population of 13000 per hectare.

Rates of application for soils with pH between 4.5 and 5.5 as follows:

Apply Phosphorus at 90 kg per hectare every year in one application.

Rates of application for soils with pH above 5.5 are as follows (use water soluble P):

The rate of fertilizer application for mature tea varies with yield and soil test values while the N : K₂O ratio varies with the stage of pruning.

Method of application

Apply the recommended quantity of mixtures along the drip circle of plants. In the semi-circular furrow taken above the plant on the slope, using a Kokra-eyebrow method, apply the fertilizers when there is adequate soil moisture and when the fields are free from weeds. Punch holes of 15-22 cm depth in the soil on either side of the plants and place the rock phosphate.

other activities

Training of young tea

Proper training of young tea is essential to encourage good spread of the bushes, proper development of frames and high density of plucking points.

Centering

Cut the leader stem of the plants with secateur to arrest the apical dominance and to induce the secondary branches. Cut as low as possible leaving 8-10 mature leaves below the cut. Ensure proper recovery. Centering should be done 4-6 months after planting during humid weather when there is adequate moisture in the soil.

Tipping

First plucking of the periodic shoot is done after centering/ pruning. Two-tier tipping ensures proper spread. First tipping at 35 cm height will induce the tertiaries. Second tipping at 50 cm height will increase the density of plucking points. Tipping should be done at green, semi-hardwood branches. Tipping should be done in shoots having 3-4 leaves and a bud.

Plucking

Mother leaf/ step-up plucking is practiced during lean seasons. Level plucking is done during high cropping months. This is essential for better frame development.

Shade management

The best permanent shade tree for tea plantation in South India is silver oak(Grevillea robusta).

Shade regulation

Tea requires only sparse shade. So retain optimum stand of shade based on the growth of the tree, attitude of the garden and aspect of the field (south and west slopes require more shade). Thin out shade initially to  12 m x 6 m after 8-10 years of planting and if required further thinning may be done to 12 m x 12 m at later stages (12 year from planting). Always thin out shade prior to pruning.

Pollarding

Cutting the main stem with the objective of developing lateral branches is pollarding. Commence pollarding when the trees attain a girth of around 50 cm at elbow level. Pollarding depends on altitude (8 m height for higher altitude, 9 m for low elevation). Leave one branch in each direction and 3-4 tires of branches, below the pollarding height.

Annual lopping

Cutting the erect growing branches on the lateral is looping, which should be done before the onset of monsoon and lope only the erect branches and retain the laterals.

Shade removal

Potential age of Grevillea is 40-60 years. Remove old trees after establishing new shade.

Plucking

Ten Commandments for plucking

1. harvest two to three leaves and a bud and/ single and two leaf banjis.
2. Pluck the mother leaf during January-March.
3. Pluck the new level during rest of the month.
4. Pluck at 7-10 days interval during high cropping months.
5. Pluck at 12-15 days interval during low cropping months.
6. Removal of banjis and breaking-back should be a part of plucking operation.
7. Do not pluck below the level.
8. Leave immature shoots.
9. Shear-harvest during rush periods.
10. Cut lanes in older fields.

Pruning

Post-pruning care

Apply copper oxychloride or sulphur + linseed oil (1:1) to large cut-ends after rejuvenation and hard pruning.