RESPONSES OF TEA TO ENVIRONMENT IN KENYA. 3. YIELD AND YIELD DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

In an experiment on genotype × environment interactions in tea (Camellia sinensis), yield differed between the genotypes at all sites. The highest yield in the third year after planting was 3760 kg ha−1 for clone S15/10 at site 4 (1800 m altitude), while the lowest was 1610 kg ha−1 for clone 6/8 at site 1 (2200 m). The dry matter contents of harvested shoots from each clone ranged from 0.24 for clone TN14-3 down to 0.19 for clone S15/10. Yield response to soil water deficits was more pronounced at site 4, where larger deficits were observed. Hail damage affected the yield of two sites and a temperature influence on recovery was evident.