Morpho-physiological and phenological attributes of reproductive biology of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) in Sri Lanka

A comprehensive knowledge on reproductive traits is a prerequisite in utilizing the existing tea germplasm effectively for crop improvement to develop superior planting material for grower acceptance and market profitability. The Sri Lankan tea germplasm was characterized based on reproductive traits viz. floral morphology, pollen biology, stigma receptivity and phenology of flowering and fruit set. The variability in floral morphology, especially the style morphological features, formed phenotypic clines rather than distinct groups. Studies on pollen biology and stigma receptivity revealed significant variability and asynchrony that could result unequal reproductive success among the genotypes. Four distinct patterns were predictable among the genotypes based on flower and fruit abundance and the time of flowering and fruit set. Three well marked flowering periods occurred in February to April, July and in November. Nonetheless, major flowering period coincided February and March in all the genotypes allowing free crossing between the different genotypes. Profuse mature fruit crop was obtained in February to May. Approximately 26% success was achieved in tea controlled hybridization programmes. Fruits carry two seeds on average and became mature in 8-9 months after pollination. Zygotic development in tea takes more than 1 month after pollination and early embryonic development continued for 4 months after pollination. The indexing of the morpho-physiological diversity and the phenological calendars of flowering and fruit set made available in the study are of significant importance in effective utilization of the tea germplasm for crop improvement.