Weather parameters vulnerability on tea production in north western Himalaya, India

Abstract

The study assessed the sensitivity of weather parameters with respect to total green leaf and two leaves and bud (T & B) productivity of tea crop {Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze}. The maximum temperature ranging from 20.0 to 29.0 oC during March, May, August and September showed positive relationship with values ranging from 0.26 to 3.38 and 0.22 to 3.22 for green leaf and T & B yield, respectively. Similarly, minimum temperature ranging from 9.1 to 20.0 oC during March and July to October found positive 0.001 to 2.93 and 0.28 to 2.91 for green leaf and T & B productivity, respectively. The mean monthly rainfall amounting 52.7 to 664.7 mm during March, May, July to October and 52.7 to 488.4 mm during June, July, September and October also showed positive sensitivity with values ranging from 0.03 to 0.33 and 0.007 to 0.35 for green leaf and T & B yield, respectively. The relative humidity ranging between 41.2 to 77.3% during April to May for green leaf yield (0.32 to 1.71) and during April to May and October for two leaf and bud yield (0.00 to 1.70) showed positive relationship. So, maximum and minimum temperature between 20.0 to 29.0 oC and 9.1 to 20.0 oC, respectively with rainfall of 52.7 to 488.4 mm and relative humidity 41.2 to 77.3% are the most beneficial weather parameters for tea cultivation at Palampur conditions.