The Tocklai Tea Research Institute in Jorhat, Assam, released TS560 a new drought-tolerant varietal.
“The new seed variety is a gift for Darjeeling from Tocklai,” said TTRI director, A.K. Barooah. The seed was presented in September at the 53rd annual general meeting of Tea Research Association, which governs the research institute.
The seed has been in development for 26 years and is ideally suited to Darjeeling. Parents are AV2 and Phoobsiring 312, two popular Darjeeling clones. During the past century, the institute has developed 27 different clones specifically for Darjeeling’s orthodox tea production
“We are hopeful that the new seed variety would bring added cheers to the Darjeeling cup of tea which is known worldwide for its flavor,” Barooah said.
The 87 tea estates of Darjeeling produce 8.5 to 9 million kilos of tea a year, most of which is exported to UK, Germany, Japan, and the USA.
Darjeeling has experienced greater fluctuations in rainfall in recent years compared to historical records. There are longer dry periods and, when it rains, it pours. Seeds develop a more robust root system and are less likely to die of thirst than plants sprouted from leaf cuttings.