Unique graft combination of tea, Cr-6017/UPASI-9

• Published in: Current science (Bangalore) Vol. 98; no. 11; pp. 1508 - 1517
• Main Authors: Balasubramanian, S., Netto, L. A., Parathiraj, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Current science Association 10.06.2010
• Subjects: Branches; Drought; Graftage; Leaves; Plant cuttings; Plants; RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS; Rootstocks; Scions; Tea; Tissue grafting
• ISSN: 0011-3891

A unique graft combination in tea comprising a quality clone Cr-6017 as a scion and drought hardy highyielding clone UPASI-9 as root stock was studied under commercial conditions. Average survival rate of cuttings of grafted plants in the nursery was above 85%. Grafted plants of Cr-6017/UPASI-9 were more vigorous and irrespective of the year from planting registered significantly high yields over ungrafted controls. Grafting resulted in increase in the number of branches, branch length and reduction in the branch angle. Grafted plants registered significantly low values of mesomorphy index, vulnerability index, shoot water potential and high values of Fv/Fm. Grafted and ungrafted Cr-6017 plants registered significantly high quantities of total polyphenols and catechins. Variation in the biochemical composition of green leaf and made tea of grafted and control plants of Cr-6017 was statistically non-significant. Quality attributes of teas manufactured from Cr-6017 were superior compared to teas from UPASI-9.