Effects of Microclimatic Parameter on Tea Leaf Production in Different Tea Estates, Bangladesh

Abstract

The tea industry of Bangladesh is one of the most important foreign exchange earner and source of income. Sylhet, the northeastern divisional city of Bangladesh, is the major tea-producing region of the country. For this reason thestudy area was selected in Sylhet district to assess the pattern and causes of fluctuation on tea leaf production in selected tea Estates and the impact of micro-climatechange on the productivity of tea leaf. The yield of tea is greatly influenced by microclimatic parameter of a region especially rainfall, temperature. Scanty rainfall causes irreparable losses because irrigation is seldom used on tea plantations.  On the other hand, heavy rains erode top soil and wash away fertilizers and other chemicals. An analysis of the results of field experiments with weather data shows that increase highest tea leaf production per hectare lies on 4000mm to 4600mm rainfall. Heavy or scanty or delayed rainfall adversely affected the growth and yield of tea. It is observed that tea leaf production is slightly increased with increase in total annual rainfall. The temperature and humidity have no direct effect on tea leaf production. It may largely depend on soil quality and solar radiation. Loobacherra tea estate produces high amount (1838.70 kg) of tea leaf per unit area, on the other hand, Lackatoorah tea estate produce lowest amount (682.31 kg) of tea leaf. Further study is needed to identify the cause of variation of tea leaf production in different tea estate. Awareness should be rise on micro-climate change amongst the planter,estates and worker groups for the maximum production of tea leaf.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v7i1.22168

J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 7(1): 183-188 2014