|
|
 Karnataka
state with a total geographical area of 19.17 million
ha, lies between
74º-78º30'E longitude and 10º58'-18º30'N
latitude. Generally, the state has a rolling surface
on gentle slopes with occasional monad rocks. Plantation
crops are cultivated mostly in the Malnad region
which comprises Chikmagalur, Hassan and Kodagu districts
and hold a unique position in the economic development
of the state. Amongst the plantation crops Karnataka
holds an enviable position in coffee in terms of
acreage and production. Besides coffee, tea, arecanut,
pepper, vanilla and cardamom are the other major
crops grown in the Malnad region.
Tea plantations lie scattered, interspersed by the
coffee region. Tea is grown at present only in those
areas where coffee is not doing well.
The elevation of estates ranges between 750 and
1000 m. The average annual rainfall in the Chikmagalur
and Kodagu zones is about 200 to 350 cm. The estates
in Hassan district receive exceptionally high rainfall
of around 750 cm. Due to the peculiar type of rainfall
distribution, the estates experience prolonged dry
spell of about 150 days, at times extending even
up to 180 days. The minimum temperature does not
fall below 11º C during the winter season and
maximum temperature reaches as high as 38º
C during April-May.
This Regional Centre was set up in 1986 at Durgadbetta,
Chikmagalur District, to meet a long-felt need of
the tea planters in Hassan and Chikmagalur districts.
With the setting up of this regional centre, all
the tea growing areas in south India are adequately
covered by the Tea Research Foundation with regard
to extension programme. This centre advises the
estates on the cultural aspects of tea husbandry
with special reference to disease control and crop
production. Recently, the centre has been shifted
to its own new premises at Koppa, a little away
from the old location.
This laboratory can analyse soils for basic parameters.
A number of experiments relating to screening of
tea clones/biclonal progenies, rationalisation of
soil inputs and irrigation are being conducted. |
|
|
|
