PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
The division strives for excellence in applied research in Tea Physiology and Biotechnology. It consists of a vibrant academic community with ten research students and three members of staff. The research undertaken extends over a wide range of research programmes having collaborative links with different Universities, National Institutes both within the country and overseas. We structured our faculties to forge links between related study areas and to create opportunities for new and exciting programmes of tea science. Some of the exciting break through and achieved by this division are described in brief:

PARTITIONING OF ASSIMILATES Through radiotracer studies we have identified the amount of photosynthates translocated to the growing shoots which is a reflection of the yield. The role and importance of mother leaf and maintenance foliage in providing nutrients to the growing shoots were also identified using this technique.

BANJI (DORMANT SHOOT) MANAGEMENT Dormant shoot formation hampers productivity of tea fields and quality of made tea. The growth promoter: inhibitor ratio has been identified to play a significant role in deciding the fate of the growing shoot. Various Plant Growth Regulators (plant and synthetic origin) are being evaluated for banji shoot management. Folier application of gibberellic acid and KNO₃ is found to reduce the incidence of banji shoots.

BUD BREAK FROM PRUNED FRAMES The physiological basis of recovery from pruning and frequency of bud break has been identified as the starch content in the roots. The heights of pruning could be decided on the basis of content of root starch.

OPTIMISATION OF IRRIGATION Sprinkler and drip irrigation has been found beneficial both to young tea as well as to mature tea during drought conditions. Fertigation has been found beneficial. An irrigation schedule based on the soil moisture condition is presently being worked out.