REJUVENATIONPRUNING - APATH-BREAKINGTECHNOLOGYFOR CONSOLIDATIONOF DEBILE TEAIN SOUTHINDIA

Abstract

The technology of Rejuvenation pruningof unthrifty Tea was conceptualized and developed in south India during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rejuvenation pruning stimulates the development and growth of a new, strong and healthy primary frame, supporting good secondary branch systems and higher productivity for a prolonged period. Wide acceptability and success of this concept obviated the need for uprooting and replanting of old tea in south India, to a great extent. Rejuvenation pruning facilitates infilling the vacant patches that arose due to the death of old bushes owing to various causes over the decades; it also makes possible putting out a new plant between the old bushes existing at the original wide spacing, leading to a doubling of the population. The benefit by way of increased yield due to rejuvenation ensues fromthe third year from pruning and that due to infilling and interplanting fromthe fourth year fromplanting. The break-even of the expenses and crop loss could be achieved by about six years.