INTRODUCTION

The origin of tea is every bit as fascinating as the drink itself. Over
the past few decades, tea as an aromatic beverage has grown to
become one of the most important commodities of India and is
ranked second largest exporter of tea in the world and offers a
variety of products from original orthodox to CTC and green tea.

Tea is considered as one of the main agricultural produce in the state

and is reputed all over the world for its aromatic quality. It is a high
labour and land intensive plantation crop and requires huge
investment. It was popularised as a recreational drink too.

Assam tea is also known as black tea named after the region of its
production in Assam, India. It is manufactured specifically from
Camellia sinensis. This tea, most of which is grown at or near sea
level is known for its body, malty flavour, bright colour and briskness,
which experiences high precipitation during monsoon. Historically,
Assam and Southern China are the only two regions in the world with
native tea plants.

Tea Garden

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STUDY OF TEA PLANTATION

Tea plantation is a large scale farm that can be studied with the
following processes and stages.

1. SOIL PREPARATION (Soil availability and fertility): The first stage

of tea plantation is the availability of soil in a large scale, which
includes the fertility of soil also. To cultivate tea plants, the soil must
be properly ploughed and harrowed. The ploughed and harrowed
area of soil is then planted with Guatemala plant for one year
(nearly) which makes the soil fertility excellent for further use. After
one year of completion, Guatemala plant is cut down and the soil is
levelled up. After levelling up, young tea plants from nursery are
brought and planted in the plantation area. In nursery, two types of
tea plants are grown in two different methods namely – cutting and
seedling

2. SPACING: Spacing in tea plantation gives the accurate

measurement for plantation. It is mainly required for proper growth
of tea plants as it manages a proper space in between the plants.
Various spacings such as 5 x 4, 4 x 4, 3 x 2, 3 x 4 etc., are used with
the help of staking method.

3. DRAINAGE: Drainage system is one of the most important factors

of tea plantation. As after levelling up of soil, draining namely – main
and sub-drains are done. The sub-drains collect all the water from

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the outer surface of soil and gives out the outlets through main
drain. It is done during the months of December to March.

4. PLANTATION: In the process of planting tea plants, many pits are

dig out in 8 inch breadth and 1 ft depth and then the left out soil is
mixed with cow dung, SSP-super phosphate and are levelled up
properly. After 4-5 days interval, mulching is done to improve
moisture content of soil in the month of April to May. But in winter
season, mulching of tea plants is done by long big water holding
leaves called Metteka from exposure to direct sunlight.

Young Tea Plants for Plantation

5. SHADE TREE PLANTATION: Shade trees during plantation of tea

plants is necessary as it covers them from direct sunlight and has
been found beneficial for health and productivity of tea bushes,
prevention of loss of soil moisture and reduction of red spiders. Tea
planters mainly prefer – Albizzia odoratissima, Albizzia chinesis,
Accacia lenticularis, Derris robusta etc., as shade tree.

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6. MANURING: Manuring is an important factor in growth of tea
plants. Manuring such as YTD (Young Tea Manuring) is being applied
to young tea plants in the gap of zero year to four year, during rainy
season. A mixture of urea, MOP, and SSP-super phosphate is applied
into the young plants in a ring type manner which is done atleast
four times a year.

Whereas, general manuring in matured tea plants is done at least

two times a year. Firstly 60% during March to April and then 40%
during August to September. This manuring is done in the method of
spreading.

7. PESTICIDES AND FOLIAR FEEDING APPLICATION: Pesticides are

the substances that are meant to control pests. There are various
kinds of mites such as red spider, Tea mosquito bugs (Helopeltis
theivora), caterpillar, red dust (Fungicide) etc., which attacks tea
plants.

To prevent these diseases, Endosulfan 35EC, Deltamethrin 2.8EC,

Alphamethrin 10EC, Profenofos 50EC, Dicofol 18.5EC and copper are
used.

8. WEEDICIDES: Weedicides are weed controlling substances and are

meant to help in free oxygen passage between the tea plants for
healthy growth. It is generally done two times a year. But can vary to

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three times depending upon the weeds grown. Glycyl 24D, Gramoxin
are some of the weedicides used for tea plantation.

Pesticides and Weedicides Spraying

9. PRUNNING: It is a horticultural and silvicultural practice involving

selective removal of certain parts of tea plants. The reasons to prune
includes dead wood removal, shaping and tabelling (by controlling
and directing growth, removal of unwanted tissues etc.)

Types of pruning are –

1. U.P(Unpruned tea plants)

2. L.P(Lower pruning of tea plants)
3. D.S(Deep skiff)
4. M.S(Medium skiff)
5. L.S(Light skiff)
6. L.O.H(Level of skiff) Removing certain parts of tea plants

7. M.P(Medium pruning of tea leaves)

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These are done in the circle of 3-4 years according to environmental
convenience. After pruning, draining and ceiling is done again in the
whole garden area.

10. PLUCKING (TIPPING): Plucking or Tipping methods of tea plants

varies with different areas and is done in seven days.

Plucking of Tea Leaves (a)

In U.P section, tipping is done above four inch from pruning mark.
But in M.P section, tipping mark is given from the ground level from
10-12 inch pruning mark.

Thus the above mentioned processes and stages are the base behind
Tea Plantation in India.

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CONCLUSION

This project helped me a lot in learning the different processes of tea

manuring, pruning, plucking and a lot more which are some of the
fascinating methods that I watched and studied which brought out
the major things about tea plantations.

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