Evaluation of tea clones for resistance/tolerance to mites infestations and the influence of environmental factors on mites dynamics in Kenyan tea farms.

Abstract

Mites infestations reduce yields in tea production world wide. However, some tea cultivars are resistant/tolerant to mites attack. The resistance/susceptibility can also be influenced by abiotic factors. This study evaluated some new tea clones for mite resistance/ susceptibility and influence of Environmental factors (weather parameters) on dynamics of mite infestations of Kenyan tea at different ecological zones, Kangaita, Kipkebe and Timbilil. Maximum population of mites was reported during March when maximum temperature, average rainfall and relative humidity ranges for the sites were 23.9-28.7 C, 27.7-50.1 mm and 38.0-70.4% respectively. There was a sharp decline in mites population in April when average rainfall was high (398.4-514.4 mm) which was accompanied by reduction in maximum temperature (18.8-27.5 C) and increase in relative humidity (44.0-82.2%). The …