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A Successful Plant Improvement Programme on Tea (Camellia Sinensis)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

Rex Ellis  and
H. E. Nyirenda
Rex Ellis
Affiliation:
Tea Research Foundation (Central Africa), PO Box 51, Mulanje, Malawi
H. E. Nyirenda
Affiliation:
Tea Research Foundation (Central Africa), PO Box 51, Mulanje, Malawi
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Summary

The tea industry in Malawi is the oldest in Africa but in the past had always produced poor quality tea. A plant improvement programme was therefore started in 1956 at the Tea Research Stations in Mulanje. The improvement in made tea quality was assisted by an investigation into the biochemistry of tea fermentation. Early success was obtained with polyclonal seed varieties and the development of clones from field bushes. These were used in cross breeding to produce new progeny clones which are showing a steady improvement in quality and yield. The need for improved yield was recognised as the programme progressed and appropriate selection procedures adopted. Techniques for improved vegetative propagation for field planting, grafting ofseed bearer trees and composite plants were developed. Liaison with the tea industry has been good and all new plantings in southern Africa since about 1975 have been with improved material. The programme is continuing and future prospects are good.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 31 , Issue 3 , July 1995 , pp. 307 - 323
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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