Suitable climate for tea cultivation

Tea is one of the most important cash crops worldwide, playing a significant role in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries. The cultivation of tea requires strictly defined climatic and soil conditions.

Tea plant is an evergreen bush that flourishes in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions at elevations below 3000 m. Tea does not tolerate long droughts or frost and extreme heat. The best quality tea is produced at high altitudes of 1500 to 2250 meters above sea level.

Camellia sinensis var. sinensis grows in cooler mountainous regions, while Camellia sinensis var. assamica grows best in a tropical climate.

Tea grows in a wide range of latitudes of between 30◦ S and 42◦ N that satisfy the certain eco-physiological requirements of tea plants, including thresholds of climatic variables.

Tea requires rainfall of 1200mm to 2200mm that is well distributed throughout the year, and relative humidity of around 80 % (never less than 40%).

Tea is considered optimal conditions are annual precipitation at the level of 2500 - 3000 mm3 per square meter.

Tea plants can survive a wide range of temperatures between 10 to 30 ◦C. Solar radiation is another primary driver which plays a significant role in photosynthesis in plants. Excessive wind causes water deficit in tea plants due to high evapotranspiration.

The monsoonal climate, alternate wet and dry seasons and the high elevation of subtropical mountains in China, India, and Sri Lanka appear to provide above optimal conditions for tea cultivation.

Unfavorable conditions, such as droughts, floods, frosts or excessive heat, limit plant growth and lead to changes in the biochemical structure of the raw material which lead to a decrease in its quality.
Suitable climate for tea cultivation

Suitable soil for tea plants

The first desiderata in selecting the site for tea-plantation are soil and climate the best mode of cultivation, system of manufacture and cost of production. A rich loamy soil, sand and vegetable matter; is of a yellow colour is the best suited for tea; but eceteria paribus, the various soils suitable for cereals are also suited for tea. The great object is to insure deep soil free from rocks and stones.

A probably moist climate,such as may be found at elevations of from 2500 to 5000 get above the level of the sea, are most suitable and in localities free from all influence of hot winds in summer.The decrease in soil moisture causes the desiccation damage on the young tea leaves.

Rainfall in the the area of the world varies from less than 1000 mm to 6000 mm in a year. the minimum quantity of rain required to sustain healthy growth depends on the soil and other environmental conditions and cultural factors which are connected with loss of water from the soil and the tea plant.

The plants are very sensitive to the soil acidity. They cannot survive in alkaline soil. The optimum pH of soil for growing tea ranges between 4.5 and 6.5. One of the reasons that tea does well in regions with a high rainfall is that the ling term leaching of the soil contributes to soil acidity.
Suitable soil for tea plants

Drainage system in tea plantation

A good surface drainage system is important, particularly on low lying heavy soils to allow timely access to fields for harvesting and other operations following periods of heavy rainfall or flooding.

Tea plant is susceptible to stagnant water. The plant cannot survive in an area where water logging is a perpetual feature.  It should be avoided with an adequate drainage system can be constructed.

There is contour drainage system on tillah land according to soil condition. In flat land, straight rectangular drainage system is maintained.

On sites where major drainage work and leveling is required, preparation should begin up to one year before the anticipated transplanting time.

Although in certain tea area, rainfall may exceed potential evapotranspiration for limited period, effective moisture conservation measures are needed to tide over the frequently occurring drought stress periods within the growing season.

Irrigation is therefore best perceived as a system by which a quantum of water is added during the stress period to bring back the soil moisture level to its optimum.
Drainage system in tea plantation