TEA
PLANTING AND CULTIVATION
It is not particularly hard to make tea grow.
As long as it gets plenty of rain and temperatures and do not vary much year
round, Camellia sinensis is a robust shrub, perennial crop which is able to
tolerate a fairly wide range of more or less tropical climates, altitudes and
soil conditions. Most important aspect is the management input and practices.
1.0 Camellia
sinensis is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree whose leaves and leaf
buds are used to produce tea. Tea is a perennial crop. The life of tea is more
than 100 years, but the economically useful age of tea bush is less than 100
years, depending on type of tea planted, climatic condition and estate
practices. (Barman, 2008). It is of the genus
Camellia, of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. Common names include
"tea plant", "tea shrub", and "tea tree" (not to
be confused with Melaleuca alternifolia, the source of tea tree oil.
Two major varieties are grown:
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis for Chinese teas, and Camellia sinensis var. assamica
for Indian Assam teas. Camellia sinensis is native to East Asia, the Indian
Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, but it is today cultivated across the world in
tropical and subtropical regions. Camellia sinensis is an evergreen shrub or
small tree that is usually trimmed or pruned to manageable height when
cultivated for its leaves. It has a strong taproot. The flowers are
yellow-white, 2.5–4 cm (0.98–1.57 in) in diameter, with 7 to 8 petals. The leaves
are 4–15 cm (1.6–5.9 in) long and 2–5 cm (0.79–1.97 in) broad. Fresh leaves
contain about 4% caffeine, as well as related compounds including theobromine.
The young, light green leaves are preferably harvested for tea production; they
have short white hairs on the underside. Older leaves are deeper green.
Different leaf ages produce differing tea qualities, since their chemical
compositions are different. Usually, the tip (bud) and the first two to three
leaves are harvested for processing. This hand picking is repeated every one to
two weeks.
Camellia sinensis is mainly
cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, in areas with at least 127 cm
or 1270mm (50 inches) of rainfall a year. Tea plants prefer a rich and moist
growing location in full to part sun, and can be grown in hardiness zones 7 –
9. Many high quality teas are grown at high elevations, up to 1,500 meters
(4,900 feet), as the plants grow more slowly and acquire more flavor.
Tea plants will grow into a tree
if left undisturbed, but cultivated plants are pruned to waist height for ease
of plucking.
2.0 Tea Cultivation
Tea required a moderately hot and
humid climate. Climate influences yield, crop distribution
and quality. Tea grows best on well-drained fertile acid soil on high
lands.
Temperature affects tea yield by
influencing rate of photosynthesis and controlling growth and dormancy. In
general, the ambient temperature within 13o C and 28-32oC
is conducive for growth of tea. Low temperature causes slower growth and low yield.
Temperature modifies the rate of growth and development due to its impact on
photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient intake, enzymes kinetics and relative
humidity. At low temperature, the energy available is often too limited to
maintain biochemical processes for maintenance of growth. At too high
temperature, enzymes becomes inactivated, leading to plant stress.
Tea grows well on high land with
well drained soils having a good depth, acidic pH in the range of 4.5 to 5.5
and more than 2% organic matter. Shallow and compacted sub-soil limit root
development and growth. (Tocklai , 2012)
Among factors affecting extension
of growth in woody plants are age, development stage (nursery stage, branch
formation stage, commercial stage), soil condition, climatic condition and
species and genotypes.
(An introduction / Satu Pengenalan)
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