Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Tea Germplasm in Bangladesh and Their Conservation

A.F.M. Badrul Alam
Bangladesh Tea Research Institute

S.K.L. Haque
Bangladesh Tea Research Institute

M.J. Dutta
Bangladesh Tea Research Institute

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The danger of narrowing the genetic base of tea in most tea growing countries including Bangladesh is increasing due to popularity of a few clones or seed jats for infilling, replanting and new extensions of tea area. Many of these clones and seeds are progeny selections from a few populations of cultivars. Use of such a limited number of base populations in plant improvement program in a almost self-sterile and highly cross-fertilized plant like tea, would led to inbreeding depression and poor success. The improvement for superior planting materials for tomorrow depends on the availability of a diverse germ plasm bank today. Therefore, collection and preservation of wider genetical stocks and their utilization are of utmost importance to the growth of our tea industry.

Keywords: Tea, Germplasm, Conservation

Location: Bangladesh Tea Research Institute

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Tea

Objectives:

TO STUDY TEA GERMPLASM IN BANGLADESH AND THEIR CONSERVATION

Methodology:

The tea plant, first classified by Linnaeus as Thea sinensis was later named as Camellia sinensis (L) 0 Kuntze. From the botanical point of view, three main varieties can be recognised in the area of origin or center of dispersal of the tea plant in the , highlands of South East Asia: the China tea, the Assam tea and the Camboid or Indo- China tea, Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, assamica and cambodiensis or lasiocalyx respectively. For practical reasons, the cultivated forms may be considered as two groups: China tea and Assam tea to which a third group of numerous hybrids between Assam, China and Camboid tea may be added. Besides, there are notably heterogeneous populations in which one or more other species of Camellia e.g. C. irrawadiensis, C. caudata, C. kissi are involved as species hybrids.These varieties and subspecies interbreed with ease and there exists not much reproductive barriers. The seedling population of Bangladesh tea can be broadly divided into seven agrotypes namely, Manipuri, Burma, Assam, Hybrid I, Hybrid II and Hybrid III.

Source of Information: Tea Journal of Bangladesh, Vol.33, No.1&2. 1997

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The evolution of superior planting material for tomorrow depends on availability of a diverse germplasm bank today. Therefore, collection and preservation of genetical stocks and their utilization are of almost importance to the continued growth of our tea industry. Besides, in Bangladesh every year hectares of old tea including old seed orchards are being uprooted without prior scrutiny and retaining, materials of special interest. Measures taken by BTRI are inadequate owing to the acute shortage of trained extra manpower, transport and insufficient funding for purpose. Thus the valuable genetic resources within the country are constantly being eroded or lost unnoticed and uncared forever. Immediate steps are, therefore necessary to explore and save them from extenction.

Knowledge Management: Journal