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 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 above MSL. 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. |
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