Mahindapala KGJP1*, Mahinda TGN2, Jayarathna SPAPK1, De Alwis PDA2
1Tea Research Institute, Low-country Regional Centre, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.
2Tea Research Institute, Galle Extension Centre, Talgampola, Sri Lanka.
Abstract
It was reported that tea bushes of smallholdings in some areas were debilitated and are expressing certain
stress symptoms. This study attempted to understand the technology adoption level among the tea smallholders in Neluwa and Udugama
ranges and to examine their tea bush debilitation status and identify possible attributes. Data were collected from randomly selected
smallholdings. Cultivation history, technology adoption, and field problems were identified by using a structured questionnaire and were
statistically analyzed. Results show that stress symptoms appeared in 75% of the holdings from a low to a moderate acuteness level and
mostly distributed less than 30% of the lands investigated. However, in certain cases, there has been an impact on the yield. Results
revealed that the adoption level of some of the GAPs is not at a satisfactory level and was identified as one of the attributes of
debilitation. It was found that certain pests such as Lowcountry live wood termite, Canker, Wood-rot, and Horsehair blight are
significantly contributing to the problem. About 28% of parasitic nematode incidents were detected, which could make a serious
consequence under the poor crop management strategies.
Keywords:
Debilitation, GAPs, Neluwa, Smallholdings, Tea, Udugama Full Text :
pdf (315kb)
* - Corresponding Author
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