Managing declining yields from ageing tea plantations.
Strong growth in the demand for tea requires further increases in the productivity of plantations. Declining or stagnant yields are commonly observed in older plantations. Possible controlling factors for yield decline are reviewed including ageing of plants, chronic disease and sub-optimal soil conditions such as excess soil acidity and low soil organic matter. Management options for addressing these factors are evaluated, including replanting. A systematic approach to decision-making about replanting is presented. Practice for replanting is reviewed and it is concluded that evidence to support a general case for replanting is limited, unless based on the introduction of more productive clones and/or better plant spacing.
Department of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK.
Mark G
MG
Kibblewhite
Sudhir
S
Prakash
Mridul
M
Hazarika
Paul J
PJ
Burgess
Ruben
R
Sakrabani
D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000254:growth & development*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D012987:Soil
establishment; replanting; soil management; tea; yield