EFFECTS OF CLONE AND IRRIGATION ON THE STOMATAL CONDUCTANCE AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC RATE OF TEA (CAMELLIA-SINENSIS)

Stomatal conductances (g) and photosynthetic rates (A) were monitored in six tea clones planted in a clone x irrigation experiment in the So uthern Highlands of Tanzania. Measurements were made during the warm d ry seasons of 1989 and 1990. There was no genotype X treatment interac tion in the response in A or g of the various clones to irrigation. Ir rigation increased A more than it increased g. Irrigation also increas ed the temperature optimum for photosynthesis and decreased photo-inhi bition at high illuminance. Clones differed in g and A, and in the rel ationship between leaf temperature and A. The implications of these fi ndings for clone selection are discussed.