A Successful Plant Improvement Programme on Tea (Camellia Sinensis)

Autor:	Rex Ellis, H. E. Nyirenda
Rok vydání:	1995
Předmět:	Cross breeding Vegetative reproduction business.industry Drought resistance Yield (wine) food and beverages Sowing Camellia sinensis Biology business Agronomy and Crop Science Poor quality Biotechnology
Zdroj:	Experimental Agriculture. 31:307-323
ISSN:	1469-4441 0014-4797
Popis:	SummaryThe 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.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:	https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_________::fd7cd6f589fe27c5e75d5d4b2cdb01f3 https://doi.org/10.1017/s0014479700025485 Zobrazit plný text záznamu