Wk. Ng'Etich et W. Stephens, Responses of tea to environment in Kenya. 1. Genotype x environment interactions for total dry matter production and yield, EXP AGRICUL, 37(3), 2001, pp. 333-342
Dry matter production and yield of tea were recorded in a genotype x enviro
nment interaction experiment with four tea clones planted at four sites at
a range of altitudes in Kericho, Kenya. Large responses to environment in d
ry matter production and yield were found. After 34 months from planting, t
he total plant dry matter production ranged from 18 to 22 t ha(-1) across t
he sites. One clone, TN 14-3, produced the most dry matter, reaching 29 t h
a(-1) at the lowest altitude, while clone S 15/10 produced the least (15 t
ha(-1)), Analysis of genotype x environment interactions showed that clone
TN14-3 was above average stability in dry matter production across the four
sites, but below average in yield. Clone S15/10 showed above average stabi
lity for tea yield, but was below average in dry matter production.