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Tea (Camellia sinensis) is the world-famous perennial crop and its leaves have a good taste distinguish as "Dew of heaven". Several agronomic practices should have followed during the cultivation of tea and maintain the tea bushes. As well as harvesting methods also important to the ultimate quality of tea. Thereby, without practicing proper agronomic and harvesting practices seems to have a lot of disadvantages. Thus, this study was aimed to find out the effect of agronomic and harvesting practices on the yield of tea to advert the farmers for relevant recommended practices of tea. This study was carried out as a questionnaire-based survey at Passara area, Uva province, Sri Lanka. After carried out this survey, satisfactory results were received. The findings of the survey can be concluded as follows. The majority of high-yielding category farmers were young. All high yielding category farmers had small tea lands and the majority of high and medium yielding farmers cultivated TRI 2025 Tea variety and recommended agronomic and harvesting practices were adapted by those farmers .
Key findings:
The study in Passara, Sri Lanka, found that proper agronomic and harvesting practices significantly affect tea yield. High-yielding farmers were typically young with small tea lands, cultivating TRI 2025 Tea variety, and adhering to recommended practices. These findings highlight the importance of adopting recommended practices to maximize tea yield and quality.
What is known and what is new?
The study contributes to existing knowledge by providing localized insights into tea cultivation practices in the Passara area of Sri Lanka. It confirms the importance of proper agronomic and harvesting practices in maximizing tea yield and quality. The findings highlight the demographic characteristics of high-yielding farmers, emphasizing their young age and small landholdings. This underscores the significance of age and land size in tea cultivation success. The study also emphasizes the importance of cultivating the TRI 2025 Tea variety and adopting recommended practices, offering practical guidance for tea farmers in the region to improve their yield and economic prospects.
What is the implication, and what should change now?
The implications of this study are significant for tea farmers in the Passara area and beyond. It underscores the importance of adopting recommended agronomic and harvesting practices, such as cultivating the TRI 2025 Tea variety, to maximize yield and quality. Farmers should consider the demographic characteristics of high-yielding farmers, including their age and land size, as factors that contribute to success. Moving forward, there should be a concerted effort to educate and encourage farmers to implement these practices.
Tea is an economically important perennial crop used as a beverage by many people in the world. Tea plant belongs to the genus Camellia which includes as many as 82 named species in 1958 [1]. The first tea plant of Sri Lanka was established at the Botanical Garden, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 1824. Tea is perennial crop grown in high (above 1220 m), mid (610-1220 m) and low (below 610 m) elevations of Sri Lanka covering approximately 207,126 ha. It is economically important to Sri Lanka, because approximately 95% of total tea production is exported to the rest of the world annually.
Tea is the third largest agricultural industry as well as it is second largest foreign exchange earner in Sri Lanka. Today Sri Lanka tea industry plays a major role in the global industry and ranks as the fourth largest tea producer in world.
Tea cultivation is mainly depending on several climatic factors like rainfall, temperature, sunshine hours, relative humidity and wind. Generally, tea plants require high rainfalls throughout the year. Basically, acidic soil is important for tea growth. PH 4.5- 5.5 is the recommended ideal range for the growing of tea. According to the Agro-ecological zones where tea is grown in Sri Lanka, soil is also divided into three basic categories. These are, Red Yellow Podzolic, Reddish Brown Latosol and Immature Brown Loams [2].
Harvesting of tea is the most labor-intensive field operation which absorbs about 65% of the labour and accounts for about 30% of the total cost of production. When shoot is harvested the axillary bud starts to grow producing two scale leaves (the Janam leaf and the Fish leaf) followed by about 4-6 normal leaves after which the bud becomes dormant. If this dormant shoot is left un plucked, it becomes active and starts growing after a period of time. Leaf Standard and Standard of plucking are greatly affected for the quality of made tea. When consider about the plucking frequency it means, interval of days between two consecutive rounds and varies from 4 to 10 days depending on elevation. An ideal plucking round is one which harvests the shoot of required standard at its maximum pluckable weight with minimum break back [4].
Shoot density and Mean shoot weight are the major yield components of the tea. According to the rate of growth, the density and weight of shoots are determined. When growth rate is high, shoots reach to the harvestable size within short period. Time needs to reach harvestable size and the shoot growth are mainly depending on the climatic factors especially temperature. Mean shoot weight maximization is the one of limiting factor due to the degree of maturity directly affects for the end product of the tea [4].
If the harvested leaves have 2- 3 tender leaves without any physical damage that type of leaves are consider as the standard shoots or good leaves. Those leaves are suitable for manufacturing of tea. Immature dormant shoots with one leaf are also categorized as good leaves which are acceptable for processing. Tea shoots with mature leaves and stalks and damaged shoots are undertaken as sub-standard shoots or bad leaf. Those leaves are not suitable for further processing. According to the recommendation of Tea Research Institute, Sri Lanka, if the good quality tea leaves percentage is 75- 80 it gives better quality made tea at the end [4].
Severity of plucking determines the point at which a shoot is harvested. Although this becomes very useful for manual harvesting, its importance in the harvesting policy is negligible under a mechanical harvesting system as the point of plucking for individual shoots cannot be precisely set by a machine. If a shoot is plucked leaving the oldest normal leaf (true leaf above the fish leaf), it is called "single leaf plucking". The remnant leaf is known as the mother leaf, as it nourishes the subsequent growth of its axillary bud. Hence, this style is also known as "mother leaf plucking". Mother leaf plucking ads foliage to the bush in lieu of older and dying leaves at the bottom of the canopy and is considered to be the lightest and healthiest form of harvesting. While plucking to the fish leaf is termed "fish leaf plucking", plucking below the fish leaf is called "Janam" leaf plucking". The latter two systems are known to be hard plucking [4].
Frequency of Plucking (Plucking Round)
The life period of common tea cultivars in Sri Lanka is about 5-6 days at high elevations and 4-5 days at low elevations at the wet weather condition plucking rounds are shorter and during dry weather condition it is prolonged [4].
Heavy shoots can be harvested on extend rounds overall yield will be low due to harvesting of a lesser number of shoots for a given period of time. Ultimately it will affect to the final product due to the high amount of fibrous tissue or coarse leaves in the harvest. If there is a logical balance between plucking round and plucking standard it will give a good result for the final product[4].
The leaf period can be predicted using the thermal time (degree-day) concept, if the base temperature of clone and the daily mean temperature are known
Plucking round = thermal time for phyllochron / (Mean temperature – base temperature)
The thermal time for a phyllochron can be estimated by field observations. However, the prediction of leaf period should be validated under varying field conditions before accepting it as a general rule or routine practice. Further, such field observations and validations need to be carried out when bushes are at normal flushing and not under any stress conditions limiting growth. The clonal variation in base temperature should also be taken into consideration [4].
However, according to literature available, no attempts were taken to find out agronomic and harvesting practices responses for yield of the tea in passara area, Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out the effect of agronomic and harvesting practices on yield of small holder’s tea lands in this area. Aim of this study was introduced the good agronomic and harvesting policies to the tea sector in order to maximize their tea yield.
The study was conducted in Passara area in Uva province, Sri Lanka. It belongs to the Badulla district with covering by Lunugala, Badalkumbura, Ella, Hali-ela, Meegahakiwla, Soranathota and Badulla areas. Passara area belongs to IM2b – agro-ecological zone, having annual rainfall 1750-2500 mm/year and 300-900 m in elevation.
Plate 01: Satellite photograph of the study area
Target Population
Farmers who cultivate tea as small holders were the target population of the study.
Sampling Procedure
Farmers were selected with the assistance of In-charge of Uva Tea extension center (Pelagahatenna) and Heads of farmer’s organizations in respective villages. The total sample size was restricted to 60 farmers.
Figure 01. Sampling Procedure
Data Collection and Analysis
Data was collected using pretested questionnaire. 60 selected farmers were interviewed by visiting their tea lands. Data was analyzed with quantitative and qualitative methods complementary to each other. Simple tabular and descriptive analytical methods such as averages, percentages and graphs were used. Microsoft Excel computer software package was used in data analysis.
Limitation of the Study
The accuracy, validity and reliability of information depend on the ability, behavior and attitudes of the interviewees.
Yield Information of Farmers
As per the yield of the tea, these data were categorized into following three categories.
High yielding farmer category –The farmers who taken the average yield between 2000-3000 Kg/acre/year
Medium yielding farmer category – The farmers who taken the average yield between 1000-2000 Kg/acre/year
Low yielding farmer category –The farmers who taken the average yield less than 1000 Kg/acre/year
Figure 02: Yield information of farmers
These results revealed that High farmer yielding category, approximately 17 % of farmers depending on average yield between 2000-3000 Kg/acre/year while Medium yielding farmer category having 37% of farmers depending on average yield between 1000-2000 Kg/acre/year and Low farmer yielding category approximately 46 % of farmers depending on average yield less than 1000 Kg/acre/year.
Personnel Information of Small holders
Age distribution of tea small holders
Figure 03. Age Categories
High yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 70 % of farmers are less than 40 years of age. 30% of farmers are in more than 40 years of age.
Medium yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 41 % of farmers are less than 40 years of age. 59% of farmers are in more than 40 years of age.
Low yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 36 % of farmers are less than 40 years of age. 64% of farmers are in more than 40 years of age.
Land Extent (acres)
Figure 04. Total Extent (acres) of Tea
High yielding farmer category
The results revealed that 100 % of farmers have less than 0.5 acres of extent.
Medium yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 82 % of farmers have less than 0.5 acres of extent. 9% of farmers have between 0.5 – 1 acres and 1-1.5 acres.
Low yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 25 % of farmers have less than 0.5 acres of extent. 32% of farmers have between 0.5 – 1 acres. 7% of farmers have between 1 – 1.5 acres and 1.5-2 acres. 29 % of farmers have between 2 – 2.5 acres.
Agronomic Practices of Small Holders
Cultivated Verities
Figure 05. Cultivated verities
High yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 70 % of farmers had variety of TRI 2025. 20 % of farmers had variety of TRI 2023 and rest of farmers have not any idea about their cultivated tea variety.
Medium yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 68 % of farmers had variety of TRI 2025. 9 % of farmers had variety of TRI 2023 and rest of farmers have not any idea about their cultivated tea variety.
Low yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 46 % of farmers had variety of TRI 2025. 8 % of farmers had variety of TRI 2023 and rest of farmers have not any idea about their cultivated tea variety.
Texture of the Soil
Figure 06. Texture of the soil
High yielding farmer category
According to the above figure, All farmers' lands in this category have loamy textured soils.
Medium yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 73 % of farmers in this category, their lands had loam textured soil and rest of farmers had gravel textured soil lands.
Low yielding farmer category
The results revealed that farmers have various types of fields. Majority of lands have gravel textured soil. Other fields have sandy, clay and loam textured soil.
Topography of the Land
Figure 07. Topography of the land
High yielding farmer category
According to the Figure 7 it shows 40% of farmers had leveled/ flat fields and 60% of farmers had low sloppy lands.
Medium yielding farmer category
It shows 32% of farmers had leveled/flat fields and 68% of farmers had low sloppy lands.
Low yielding farmer category
It shows 21% of farmers had leveled/flat fields .50% of farmers had low sloppy lands and 29% of farmers had high sloppy lands.
Plant Spacing
Figure 08. Plant Spacing
High yielding farmer category
These results revealed that approximately 90 % of farmers have been used TRI recommend plant spacing (2ft * 4ft) while 10 % of farmers have been followed another plant spacing such as 2ft * 3.5ft as per their preference.
Medium yielding farmer category
These results revealed that approximately 95 % of farmers have been practiced TRI recommend plant spacing (2ft * 4ft) and 5 % of farmers have been followed different plant spacings.
Low yielding farmer category
These results revealed that approximately 50 % of farmers have been used TRI recommend plant spacing (2ft * 4ft) and 50 % of farmers have been followed different plant spacings.
Types of Soil Conservation Methods
Figure 09. Types of Soil Conservation Methods
High yielding farmer category
These results revealed that approximately 40 % of farmers have been used contour drains as their soil conservation method while 50% of farmers have been used stone bunds. 20 % of farmers have been used both methods. But it has 10% farmers have not been followed any soil conservation methods.
Medium yielding farmer category
These results revealed that approximately 36 % of farmers have been used contour drains as their soil conservation practice and 45% of farmers have been used stone bund. 9 % of farmers have been followed both methods. But it has 19% farmers have not been followed any soil conservation methods.
Low yielding farmer category
These results revealed that approximately 39 % of farmers have been used contour drains and 75% of farmers have been practiced stone bunds. 36 % of farmers have been followed both methods.
Weed Control
Figure 10. Weed Control
High yielding farmer category
About 60% of the farmers adopted weed control methods for their tea lands while the rest of the farmers did not follow any weed control methods.
Medium yielding farmer category
About 23% of the farmers adopted weed control methods for their tea lands while the rest of the farmers did not follow any weed control methods.
Low yielding farmer category
According to the Figure 10, it shows out 11% of the farmers adopted weed control methods for their tea lands while the rest of the farmers did not follow any weed control methods.
Pruning Cycle
Figure 11. Pruning Cycle
High yielding farmer category
According to the Figure 11, it shows 20% of farmers have been followed 3 years pruning cycle while 60% of farmers have been followed 4 years pruning cycle and 20% of farmers have been followed 5 years pruning cycle.
Medium yielding farmer category
9% of farmers have been practiced 3 years pruning cycle while 86% farmers have been followed 4 years pruning cycle and 5% farmers have been followed 5 years pruning cycle.
Low yielding farmer category
According to the figure 11, it shows 39% of farmers have been practiced 4 years pruning cycle while 61% farmers have been practiced 5 years pruning cycle.
Bush Standard of the Land
Figure 12. Bush Standard of the Land
High yielding farmer category
According to the Figure 12 it shows all most all farmer’s tea lands were fully covered.
Medium yielding farmer category
It shows approximately 91 % of farmer’s tea lands were covered more than 80%.
Low yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 4 % of farmer’s tea lands were covered more than 80%.and 86 % of farmer’s tea lands covered between 60% - 80%. Rest of farmer’s tea lands covered less than 60.
Harvesting Practices of Small Holders
Plucking Interval (Days)
Figure 13. Plucking interval (Days)
High yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 80 % of farmers have been practiced plucking interval between 5-7 days and 20 % of farmers practice between plucking interval 7-10 days.
Medium yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 64 % of farmers have been practiced plucking interval between 5-7 days and 36 % of farmers have been practiced plucking interval between 7-10 days.
Low yielding farmer category
The results revealed that approximately 57 % of farmers have been practiced plucking interval between 7-10 days and 43 % of farmers have been practiced plucking interval between 10-14 days.
The result of this study revealed that majority of high yielding category farmers are young (age below 40 years.) and they have small tea lands below ½ acre. On the other hand, majority of high and medium yielding farmers had cultivated TRI 2025 and their landsconsists with flat or gentle slope nature with loam textured soil. Majority of high yielding category farmers adopt recommended agronomic and harvesting practices when compared to low yielding category farmers.
Funding: No funding sources
Conflict of interest: None declared
Ethical approval: The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of University College Kuliyapitiya,
Islam, G. M. R., et al. "Present status and future needs of tea industry in Bangladesh." Proceedings-Pakistan Academy of Sciences 42.4 (2005): 305.
De Alwis, K. A. "Handbook of the soils of Sri Lanka, Soil Science Society of Ceylon." Soil Science Society of Ceylon 2 (1972): 1-97.
Watson, M. "Climatic Requirements and Soil." Tea Handbook, edited by A. K. N. Zoysa, Tea Research Institute, Thalawakele, Sri Lanka, 2008, pp. 10-15.
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