Retention and allocation of 14C assimilates by maintenance leaves and harvest index of tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

• Published in: Photosynthetica Vol. 43; no. 2
• Main Authors: Barman, T.S.(Tea Research Association, Jorhat (India). Tocklai Experimental Station)E-mail:tsbarman@sancharnet.in, Saikia, J.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: BROTES; CAMELLIA SINENSIS; CARBOHIDRATOS; CARBOHYDRATES; CARBON; CARBONE; CARBONO; FEUILLE; FOTOSINTESIS; GLUCIDE; HOJAS; ISOTOPE RADIOACTIF; LEAVES; PHOTOSYNTHESE; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; POUSSE; RACINE; RADIOISOTOPES; RADIOISOTOPOS; RAICES; ROOTS; SHOOTS; TECHNIQUE DES TRACEURS; TECNICAS DE TRAZADORES; TRACER TECHNIQUES; TRONC; TRONCO; TRUNKS
• ISSN: 0300-3604; 1573-9058

Partitioning of 14C-labelled photosynthates to various parts of unpruned tea clones TV1 and TV25 was assessed in vivo by exposing maintenance leaves to 14CO2 at monthly intervals throughout the year. Out of the total photosynthates (P) produced by the maintenance leaves, only 11.08 % was allocated to the commercially useful harvestable parts. The photosynthetically active maintenance leaves retained 19.05% P, whereas 24.56% P was distributed to the branches. The bottom and the top parts of the trunk utilized 7.44 and 7.21% P, respectively. The thick roots at the base of the trunk, medium sized roots, pencil size roots, and feeder roots imported 7.28, 7.72, 7.65, and 8.01% P of 14C assimilates, respectively. Except of the leaves, TV25 required higher percentage of assimilates than TV1. The mean quantities of net photosynthates utilized by the stem and the roots were 69.37 and 30.63 %, respectively.