Regional Centre, Vandiperiyar, Central Travancore
The unique and magnetic attraction of Kerala “God’s own country”, is centered on its mountain regions, the highland area in the western ghats, in which the plantation district of Central Travancore is located. The area is one of the most beautiful and scenic parts of the Western Ghats. Crops grown in this area are tea, coffee, pepper, vanilla and cardamom. Central Travancore boasts of many places of tourist interest of international fame and occupies a pride of place on the tourist map of Kerala. Thekkady, India’s largest wildlife sanctuary, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 777 sq km is surrounded by an artificial lake extending over an area of 25 sq km. The sanctuary has been declared a tiger reserve. The world famous Idukki arch dam is located adjacent to this sanctuary.
This region comprises of Peermade-Vandiperiyar zone of Idukki revenue district. This is one of the oldest planting districts of South India. Tea estates are situated at elevations varying from 750 m to 1,350 m above mean sea level. Annual rainfall ranges from a minimum of 2,000 mm in the Vandiperiyar area to a maximum of 6,000 mm in the Peermade zone. On an average, the dry spell extends to about 90 -150 days. The average minimum temperature is in the range of 18 to 20°C but can drop to about 5°C during winter months. The maximum temperature can even touch to 35°C during the summer months. The total area under tea cultivation is about 15,000 ha, with an annual production of about 20 million kilogram. Congregation of small tea growers, perhaps next to the Nilgiris, gives importance to the tea sector of this district. Besides tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom are also grown in a sizeable area. The famous ‘Cardamom Hill Reserve’ is located in Central Travancore region of Kerala.
UPASI TRF Regional Centre was established in 1964 to cater to the needs of the tea planters in Vandiperiyar and Peermade region. The present jurisdiction of this centre extends to other plating districts such as Highwavys, Singampatty group, Nagarcoil and South Travancore. This centre extends services to the estates and small tea growers on all aspects of tea cultivation. Prolonged soil moisture stress and havoc caused by insects and mite pests are the characteristics of Central Travancore region. Hence, this centre gives thrust on research activities on the pest management aspects. The quality control laboratory, which was established during 2006, has all facilities for analysis of soils, Caffeine, PFA & Liquor parameters of tea, Lime sulphur and soil amendments. Quantification of iron filings in the made tea is also possible at the laboratory.
Region specific multilocational experiments on agronomy, physiology and plant protection are being taken at the regional centre.
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