Tea is a self-sterile cross-fertilized plant. The self-incompatibility nature of tea thus puts a great hindrance to the development of improved planting materials. During last decades, BTRI has endeavored to produce improved seeds that can supersede the existing seeding tea and be at par with the clonal tea in respect of yield and quality potential. To the present, two types of improved seeds, viz Bi-clonal and poly clonal seed have been evolved, which are seemingly better than the general seeds.
A. Bi-Clonal Seedbarie
Bi-clonal seedbarie are produced by crossing with two compatible generative clones, namely, BT1 or B207/39 and TV1. The selection of acceptor generative clone, viz. BT1 or B207/39 and donor clone TV1 is made in the ratio of 3:1 in the seedbarie.
B. Polyclonal Seedbarie
Polyclonal Seedbarie are produced by crossing preferably with 5-7 generative clones. The clones is used in such case should be highly cross—compatible amongst themselves.
C. Non-Clonal Seedbarie (General)
Traditionally the seed sources of Bangladesh tea is the existing general non-clonal seedbaries. The seed produced from these seedbaries are inferior and poor standard.
1. Maintenance of Seedbarie:
- To obtained the maximum number of improved plants, various elementary principles of maintaining the seedbarie and seed nurseries may be given due attention.
- Drainage system should be improved in the seedbarie. The drains should be at least 0.9m. deep and laid in between every alternate rows to remove excess water during monsoon.
- Irrigation should be made during winter (Nov-April) to obtain good seeds..
- Weed control and pest control measures should be taken regularly.
- Fertilizer application should be made as per recommendation.
6. Collection of seeds should be done carefully
