Service Provided by UPASI
Analytical services
Chemistry, Tea Technology, Pesticide Residue, Pathology and Physiology Divisions at TRI and Chemical Laboratory, Regional Centre, Coonoor extend comprehensive analytical services while laboratories in other regional centres possess very limited analytical facilities. TRI also carry out field bioefficacy trials and residue quantification in tea necessary for the registration of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and plant growth regulators.
Service to small growers
The regional centres of UPASI TRF offer services to small tea growers by extending free advice and analytical services. In the Nilgiris where the small growers are concentrated, the UPASI KVK takes up this work. Help is also extended to government farms and tribal cooperatives. The UPASI KVK extends its services to the small growers, bought leaf factories and Indcoserve factories in the Nilgiris.
Facilities are available for the following analysis:
C.SOIL AMENDMENTS
| SOIL | |
| pH & EC | K(MnO4 -N) |
| Organic matter (OM) | pH, EC, OM, P, K, Ca & Mg |
| pH, EC & OM | Mechanical analysis of soils |
| Available & Exchangeable nutrients | K, Ca & Mg |
| pH, EC, OM & K | Micronutrients (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu) |
| pH, EC, OM & P | Nitrite |
| pH, EC, OM, P & Mg | pH, EC, P, Mg |
| OM, P / P& K | OM,P,K |
| pH, EC, OM, P& K | Nitrate N or Ammoniacal N |
| pH, EC, OM, P, Ca & Mg | pH,EC,P |
| pH, EC, OM, K, Ca & Mg | pH,EC,K |
| pH, EC, OM, Ca & Mg | Water holding capacity / Field capacity of soils |
| P, K, Ca & Mg | Cation exchange capacity (CEC) |
| Exch. Sulphur | Degree of potassium saturation (DKS) |
| Total N | Bulk density |
| Total K | Phosphorus and Potassium fixing capacity for soils |
| pH, EC, P, Ca & Mg | Eelworm estimation |
| Available P & Total P | |
| FERTILIZERS / MANURES | |
| Identification-qualitative tests | Organic manures- pH, EC, C, N, P & K |
| Quantitative analysis of straight fertilisers | Organic manure – C, N, P, K |
| Quantitative N, K and Mg analysis | Organic manure pH, EC, C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg |
| Quantitative N and K analysis | Micro nutrient /S in Organic manure |
| Quantitative N, P and K analysis | Nursery Mixture N, P, K, Mg & Zn |
| Quantitative N, P, K and Mg analysis | Magnesium silicate |
| N, P, K, Mg and Ca | Purity tests of Zinc sulphate(Comprehensive on all aspects with special reference to tea) |
| Sodium only / K only | Magnesium sulphate /Manganese sulphate and Boric acid |
| Biuret in urea | Secondary and micronutrients-microfood fertilizers Zn, Mn, B, Na, Fe & Mg |
| C alone/Nitrogen content in organic manure | Zn, Mn, Fe & Cu in fertilizers |
| Organic manure-C, N & C/N alone | Multi K (KNO3) |
| Organic manures-N, P & K/pH, EC, C & N/C, N & Moisture | |
| Liming materials | Iron Pyrite (S) |
| Aluminium sulphate | Calcium oxide |
| Gypsum (Purity & S) | |
| D. FUNGICIDES | |
| Copper oxy chloride formulation | Copper sulphate |
| Nickel chloride formulation | Hexaconazole formulation |
| E. PESTICIDES | |
| Content of formulation | |
| F. WEEDICIDES | |
| Content of formulation | |
| G. MISCELLANEOUS | |
| Purity tests, not comprehensive on all aspects but with special reference to tea | Micronutrients content in leaf sample |
| Ash samples | 2,4-D( qualitative) |
| Wetting agents EC and surface tension only | Water quality(pH, EC, HC03, C03, Ca, Mg and Na) |
| Moisture content | Water (pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, C03, HC03, CI, SO4 2-, SAR & micronutrients |
| Neem oil in neem cake | Starch reserve in roots (quantitative) |
| Phosphorus/Potassium/Sulphur content in leaf sample | Endogenous ABA and GA3 analysis |
| Nitrogen content in leaf | PCR analysis of accessions (Unit of 5 Replicates) |
| N,P and K/NK analysis in leaf sample | Enzyme substrate ratio analysis(Unit of 5 Replicates) |
| N,P,K,Ca & Mg in leaf sample | |
| H. MADE TEA | |
| Moisture content | Total polyphenols |
| Water extract | Total catechin |
| Crude fibre | Total amino acid |
| TF,TR, HPS & TLC | Total lipid |
| Ash content | Soluble sugar |
| Iron filings/Cu/Zn content | Catechin fractions (using HPLC) |
| Caffeine (using HPLC) | VFC (using GC) |
| Tannin | Pesticide residues |
| Microscopic examination | Analysis of dicofol/DDT residues |
| Complete PFA specification | |
| I. MICROFLORA / SPORE LOAD | |
| Enumeration of micro flora (Spore load / Viability ) from made tea/soil/ bio fertilizer/organic compost quality checking of bioformulations (liquid / solid) | |
| J. IDENTIFICATION OF DISEASED SPECIMENS | |
| Identification of diseased specimens | |
| K. CALIBRATION OF EQUIPMENTS | |
| Thermo hygrograph | pH meter |
| Moisture meter | |
| L. FIELD TRIALS | |
| Field evaluation of pesticide/ weedicide/ fungicide. | |
| Field evaluation of PGR. | |
| Field evaluation of fertilizer/micronutrient /bio fertilizer. | |
| Field evaluation of PGR / fertilizer/ micronutrient / bio fertilizer coupled with determination of physiological parameters or quality parameters. | |
| Field evaluation of PGR / fertilizer / micronutrient/ Bio fertilizer coupled with determination of quality and physiological parameters. | |
| Field trial for preparation of black tea samples for residue analysis. | |
| Field trial for preparation of black tea and dried green leaf for residue studies. | |
| Field trial for residues and analysis of residues in black tea. | |
| Field trial for residues and analysis of residues in black tea and dried green leaf. | |
| Taint test | |
| Phytotoxicity test | |
| Field study on effect of pesticide on natural enemies of pests | |
| Microplot tests for pesticide / weedicidesss | |
| Lab bioefficacy tests | |
| Packaging trial on made tea. | |
| Enzyme trials on quality improvement of tea. | |
Training programmes
TRF organizes training programmes on situation warranted relevant topics as well as on entire gamut of tea cultivation for the benefit of executives, field staff and work force. Factory staff benefited through the training programme on tea manufacture.
Industrial training
UPASI TRI offers short-term industrial training programme in biotechnology, biochemistry and microbiology to the under graduate and post graduate students belonging to various academic institutions at nominal cost. Students (M.Sc./B.Tech. Biotech) preferred to do their project work as an integral part of their course also given opportunity at TRI to complete their curriculum for a period of maximum three months. Lectures are delivered by subject experts for the benefit of students from universities and colleges visiting the TRI.
News & Events
5Dr. C.S. Venkata Ram Memorial Annual Tea Colloquium
Read MoreResidue analysis in other crops
31-05-2013
The Pesticide Residue Division is equipped with state-of-art instruments viz., Gas Chromatograph, High Performance Liquid Chromatograph, GCMS, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, etc., Our lab is GLP certified by National GLP Compliance Monitoring Authority, Govt. of India for the execution of Pesticide Residue Studies. We are accredited…
Read MoreVacancy 2020
01/01/2020 @ 12:20 pm
Advertisement for the post of Assistants UPASI Tea Research Foundation is seeking applications from eligible candidates with dynamic, energetic and innovative qualities for the following vacant positions at UPASI Tea Research Institute, Valparai. The interested candidates are requested to send their application with a brief…
Read MoreMonthly circular – April 2014
07/04/2014
Monthly Circular April -2014 WEATHER Weather data recorded in March 2014 at the TRF observatory are given below, along with the corresponding figures for March 2013. Year Total Rainfall mm Mean Sunshine hr/day Mean Temperature ° C Mean Relative Humidity % at Mean Evaporation…
Read MoreQuotations & Tenders
14-May-2019
14-May-2019 Sealed quotations are invited from the concerned suppliers for the following lab instrument with specifications. The quotations may be sent to the Director, UPASI Tea Research Foundation – Tea Research Institute, Nirar Dam P.O. Valparai 642 127 to reach on or before 31st May…
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Articles
3Publications
09.05.2012
Ajaikumar, S., Siby Mathew, R. Raj Kumar and P. Mohan Kumar (2014). Mechanical harvesting in tea: A case study of Pasuparai estate. Journal of Plantation Crops. 42(2): 201-214. Ajay, D. and Baby, U.I. 2010. Induction of systemic resistance to Exobasidium vexans in tea through SAR…
Read MoreLatest
12/12/12
The principal landmark in the history of tea research in south India, was the establishment of a Tea Experimental Station in Gudalur in 1926. During the last seven and half decades, this research organisation. Now known as the UPASI Tea Research Foundation (UPASI TRF), had…
Read MorePublications and Library
01/02/05
Annual Report is the one among the major publications of UPASI TRF. Annual report of each year is released by September of the following year. Other publications include Research Highlights and half yearly Newsletters. The Bulletin of UPASI TRF is an occasional publication. The Handbook…
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Conferences Seminars
11PLACROSYM XXI
DATE: 10-12 December 2014
PLACE: Kozhikode
Read MoreResearch Extension Meeting
DATE: 06-08 May 2013
PLACE: Valparai
Read MoreJOINT AREA SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIA (JASS)
DATE:
PLACE:
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL TEA CONVENTION
DATE:
PLACE:
Read MoreTGLIA
DATE: 2013
PLACE:
Read MoreDr.C.S. Venkata Ram Annual Tea Colloquium
DATE: 1 August 2013
PLACE: VALPARAI
Read MoreINTERACTIVE SESSIONS / WORKSHOPS
DATE: 28/04/2012
PLACE: VALPARAI
Read MorePLATINUM JUBILEE SYMPOSIUM
DATE: 2001
PLACE: Chennai
Read MorePLANTATION CROPS SYMPOSIUM 2014
DATE: 2014
PLACE:
Read MoreUPASI ANNUAL CONFERENCE
DATE: September 2013
PLACE: Coonoor
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Research Activities
Pesticide Residue
Of late, considering the constant usage of pesticides and to monitor the residues in the final produce, a well equipped test facility was established at UPASI TRI in 1994. The pesticide residue laboratory is accredited by National Accreditation Board for testing and calibration Laboratories (NABL)…
Read MoreBotany
The Tea Research Institute at Valparai has seven divisions namely Botany, Soil Chemistry, Entomology, Pesticide Residue, Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Plant Physiology & Biotechnology and Tea Technology. Botany Research activities of Botany Division include plant improvement, cultivation practices and weed research. Plant improvement programme was…
Read MoreSoil Chemistry
Chemistry Division is involved in research pertaining to soil-plant nutrients of tea besides extending analytical service to the industry. The research activities include investigations on physico-chemical properties of soil, soil-plant interactions, response of tea to major, secondary and micronutrients and their interactions. The research work…
Read MoreEntomology
Entomology Division involve in basic and applied aspects of insect pests, particularly, biology, ecology and evolving control measures. The division evolved and recommended physical, chemical and biological method of tea pests control. In the past, extensive studies on bioecology, crop loss due to major pests…
Read MorePathology & Microbiology
In the division of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, research is carried out on diseases of tea and biofertilizers. Among the tea diseases, blister blight is the most important leaf disease caused by the pathogen, Exobasidium vexans affecting the tender harvestable shoots of tea resulting in…
Read MorePhysiology & Biotechnology
Plant Physiology Division was established in 1980 which has been primarily concentrated on crop productivity. The division strives for excellence in applied research in tea productivity and bush health besides biotechnological studies. The research undertaken extends over a wide range of research programmes having collaborative…
Read MoreTea Technology
Besides offering the analytical services and involving in inter laboratory ring test to validate the test methods, Tea Technology Division is concerned about quality of final produce in accordance with PFA Act requirements, storage studies, value added products and manufacturing aspects. The laboratory has been…
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REGIONAL CENTERS