An Improved Method of Tea Propagation

Details of present/Existing Technology. Shortfall / Technological gaps in the existing technology

Tea micropropagation has been widely attempted, and there are reports of successful plantlets development. However, present day technology thus far does not enable commercial application due to problems at the root induction phase, a long gestation period between hardening and field transfer and most importantly the high cost factor compared to the cheaper conventional methods of propagation by single node cuttings.

Approach adopted in new technology to evade technological gap in the exiting one

Prevailing constraints in the micropropagation of tea for early introduction of tea clones within a short period of time, a method of grafting tea microshoots of selected stocks onto decapitated seedlings of known variety used as scion was adopted for the desired results.

Advantages

By using the new technology it was possible to get field transferable plants of tea in about 10 months as compared to 20-24 months taken by those plants raised through the conventional method of single node cuttings. It was also ascertained that the age of the root stock, PGR treatment and season of grafting have a direct relationship with the success rates achieved.

Applications

Agriculture Food Technology, Bio-technology and life sciences
For release of the new tea clones in to the fields using the methods of biotechnology and horticulture

Status of Development: Ready for Commercial Use

Patenting Details: Patent granted in Sri Lanka and pending in Kenya and India vide no. 11355 dt. 25.2.2k

Contact for more information:

Director
Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology
Post Box No.6 Palampur
Himachal Pradesh - 176 061
India