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Shade Establishment and Management in Tea Fields

Conference Paper · September 2013

DOI: 10.13140/2.1.4209.0561

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Shade Establishment and
Management
Introduction of shade

In 1840's, large-leaved Assam variety -

thrive better under Albizzia chinensis.

In 1903 (Watt and Mann) advocated

"slight shade' in tea fields.

Shade trees simulate forest conditions,

which is the natural habitat of tea.
Sun scorches in the absence of shade trees

After pruning, the bark of

the shaded frame gets fully
exposed to sun and it gets
sun scorches.

Due to sun scorch;

• poor recovery due to poor

bud break
• weakening the bush,
• wood rot,
• decline in yield and
• death during drought.
"Shade Problem"

In mid 60's: response to fertilizer reduced due to

shade and also increases the incidence of Blister
Blight.

However, by about 1970's it was realized that shade

removal lead to series of disastrous consequences.

Therefore, shade was re-introduced.

 Roles of shade

 Provision of physical shade

 Improvement and
sustenance of soil fertility

 Influence on incidence of
pests and diseases
 Effect of shade on soil
moisture

Shade tree litter and

its nutrient content

Effect of shade on
Soil Biology

Effect of shade on soil

 On leaf temperature

On partition of growth

On soil temperature and root

growth

On rate of increase of leaf

area and dry weight

On different light intensity

and growth

On light climate

Effect of shade on Plant

 Effect of shade
on Blister Blight

Shade and Mite

attack on tea

Effect of shade
trees on root
diseases

Effect of shade on Plant

 Effect of shade on soil
moisture

Properly managed Shade trees help to

conserve soil moisture.

• Soil moisture level at two depths,

Venkataramani 0-23 cm and 23-46 cm in tea
(1961) shaded by Dadap was higher than
reported in unshaded tea areas during the
driest part of the year
Shade tree litter and its nutrient
content

• A. chinensis established at
(Dutta, 12mx12m gives about 5 tons
1960) of litter per hectare with the
nitrogen content of 77 kg/ha

In East • Total annual leaf fall from

Grevillea robusta was at 16
Africa tons dry matter per Ha
 Shade tree litter and Loppings
Biomass provided by the recommended shade tree
species and the tea bushes by means of lopping
and leaf litter
Species Leaf litter No : of Loppings Total
t/ha/yr loppings t/ha/yr t/ha/yr
Gravillea 5-8 - - 5-8
Albizzia 5-6 - - 5-6
Dadaps - 2 15 15
Gliricidia 2-3 20 20
Prunings & weeds 4-5 4-5

Source: Kathiravetpillai, 1995

Shade tree litter and
its nutrient content N
63-126 kg/ha

P2O5
18 -36 kg/ha
A. chinensis with
moderate shade 2 -5 tons of dry K2O
(50-60% light matter per
hectare 22 - 44 kg/ha
intensity)
CaO
32 - 64 kg/ha

This litter alone contribute to 15% yield MgO

increase, irrespective of the shade level 16 -32 kg/ha
(Tocklai Ann. Rep. 1972-73).
Effect of shade on Soil Biology

• Shade improve soil

fertility by enhancing
the microbial &
earthworm activities.
Effects of shade on rate of increase of leaf area
and dry weight

Experiments conducted at
Tocklai found that shade
causes increasing both leaf
area and dry weight
significantly.

The rate of increasing dry

weight per unit leaf area
(DW/Leaf Area) is considered
to be important parameter for
yield projection of a plant.
Effect of different light intensity on growth

The maximum leaf area was

reported under 35-50% light
intensity and minimum under
full sun.

The yield was maximum under

50% light intensity.

The relative values for the four

light intensities were;
50% >35% >100% > 20%
(Barua 1969).
Effect of shade on leaf temperature

in full sunshine
Leaf T may
reach 40°-45° C at ambient temperature
of 30°-32° C

in shaded

Leaf temperature
remained at 1° to 2° C
Leaf T may above ambient
reach 31°-34° C
temperature.
 Effect of leaf temperature

Net photosynthesis declined

sharply at leaf temperatures above
Net 35° C and
photosynthesis No net photosynthesis between
39°- 42°C.

whereas respiration
continued upto 48°C Respiration
above which temperature the
leaf tissues will be severely
damaged
(Hadfield, 1968).
Effect of shade on soil temperature and root growth

• Soil temperatures during summer are much

higher in full sun than under 50% light. (Barua &
Dutta, 1961).

• Shade has a buffering effect on the fluctuation of

soil temperature.

• Soil temperature influence the response of roots

to oxygen. Oxygen is necessary for root
functioning and absorption of water and
nutrients. Low supply of oxygen adversely affect
the root growth and availability of nutrient
elements. (Page and Bodman, 1951).

• Growth rate varied inversely with the soil

temperature.
Effect of shade trees on light climate
Shade absorb a considerable amount of radiation of
different wavebands from the solar spectrum.

Part of those wavebands (400-450 nm and

600- 700 nm) associated with photosynthesis.

A considerable amount of useful radiation

is removed from the solar spectrum before
it reaches the tea canopy.

However, shade canopy absorbs a large

amount of harmful infra red radiation,
over 70% of the total full sunlight, and
hence cooler leaves. This compensates
the reduction of useful wavebands

(Tocklai Ann. Rep. 1968-69).

Effect of shade on partition of growth

The effect of tree shade (A.chinensis) and

mechanical shade (bamboo lath screen) was
compared against full sun with and without
nutrients on 25 clones.

Weight of plucking and prunings were recorded

for 10 years. In the 11th year root weight and
other characteristics of roots, weight of frames
were also recorded. (Tocklai: Ann Rep. 1972-73):
Major findings of the experiment:
The maximum yield was produced by the plot under tree shade
and the minimum under the mechanical shade.

The total weight of the whole plant was also maximum under the
tree but the difference between sun and mechanical shade was
very small.

The weight of roots was maximum in full sun followed by tree

shade and mechanical shade.

The ratios of;

Shoots to prunings,

Shoots to total growth (harvesting Index)

Foliage to Root were also the highest under the shade trees.

Shading divert a relatively larger fraction of the

assimilates towards the production of pluckable shoots,
which is the economically useful fraction of growth.
Effect of shade on quality of made tea

The strength and colour of liquor

improved significantly in 50%
light, while the infused leaf
received higher marks in full light.
Dutta et al. (1955) Tocklai.

Reduction of light intensity to about

50%, either by mechanical shade
or by tree shade, does not produce
any adverse effect on made teas.

The overall character of made teas

slightly improved at the lower light.

(Barua, 1964).
Influence on incidence of pests and diseases

Blister blight and Black blight

thrive well under shade.

Red spider mite thrive better in

the absence of shade (Das,
1961)

Incidence of orange mite

increased considerably after
removing of shade in
Indonesia, (De Weille, 1959).
Influence on incidence of pests and
diseases

High humidity helps to

regulate out breaks of pests
as the natural biological control
mechanism of these pests
activated under humid
conditions.

Gliricidia act as a diversionary

host as well as a trap crop for
low country live wood termites.

Roots of Shade trees could

harbor the root diseases
 Tolerant
to wind & Evergreen
frost
tree

Provide
filtered
shade

Withstand
frequent
lopping

Desirable features of an ideal shade tree

Planting, Establishment and Management

Establish shade during planting the rehabilitation grass.

Plant shade trees in the rows where tea is proposed to be

planted.

Trim down the grass surrounding the shade in order to allow

light and to prevent smothering.
Planting, Establishment and Management

In mature tea, best

time to plant shade
trees is after pruning

Cut the branches of

tea to allow adequate
light.

Protect shade plants by putting up

a fence or by covering with empty
fertilizer bag.
Establishment of Medium Shade

Calliandra calothrysus

Cut a planting hole to a depth

of 45 cm and make a mound
on it and sow 3 to 4 seeds on
the mound.

Thin down the seedlings

leaving one vigorous plant,
after germination.

Sow seeds in poly bags and

plant 4-6 months old
seedlings in the new
clearing, with the onset of
rain.
Dadap (Erythrina lithosperma) and
Gliricidia (Glircidia sepium)
Dadap and Gliricidia are dual-
purpose trees, serving as medium
shade as well as green manure
crops.

Dadap is recommended for

elevations above 600 m (2000 ft),

Gliricidia could be grown below

900 m (3000 ft).

Dadap and Gliricidia withstand

lopping well and have good
coppicing ability.
Gliricidia (Glircidia sepium)
 Gliricidia maculata

Gliricidia sepium
Both species are establish by
planting poles

• Gets the poles from a healthy and

mature trees

• Lop the trees about 6 - 8 months

before cutting poles for planting.

• Ring-bark the branches at the

point of cut before they are taken.

• The poles should have a girth of

5.0 - 7.5 cm (2 - 3 inch) at the time
of planting.

• Do not use over-mature branches.

The height of the stump
should be about 2.0 m
and bury the basal end to
a depth of 30 - 40 cm (12
-15 inch).

Prior to planting, cut the

both ends of poles at
slant by using a sharp
knife.
• Plant the poles within 48 hours after
lopping.

• Plant them with the onset of monsoon.

• Any damage during transport will reduce

the rate of success.
Planting holes should be 30
cm (12 inch) wide and 45 -
60 cm (18 - 24") deep.

Mix 225 g (8 oz) of dolomite

and one kg of compost into
each planting hole, when
filling the hole.

Cover the top end of the

pole with mud or polythene.

Wash the poles with a 20% solution of hydrated

lime leaving about 30 cm at the top end of the
pole to discourage the lateral sprouting .
The first lopping should
be done early.

Lop the tree at 1.8 m

(6 ft).

Subsequent loppings
should be done at a
height of 45 - 60 cm
(18 - 24") above the
previous lopping.
Allowing maximum
of three shoots to
grow, thin out the
other shoots
emerged from the
base of the plant

Do the subsequent
loppings before
setting of pod.
Gliricidia could be lopped
2-3 times a year while
dadap could be lopped
1 -2 times a year.

Lop the shade with the

onset of monsoon.
 Planting, Establishment and Management

Plant shade as a mixed stand of high and medium shade.

X - Gravelliea/Albezia

o- Caliandra/Dadaps/
Gliricidia

Initial Stand
 Planting, Establishment and Management

Plant shade as a mixed stand of high and medium shade.

Establishment of High Shade

Grevillea robusta and Albizzia

moluccana or Albizzia chinensis are
recommended as high shade tree
species.

Grevillea robusta can be planted in

mid and high elevations while
Albizzia moluccana or Albizzia
chinensis can be planted in mid
and low elevations.
Grevillea robusta
Albizzia moluccana
Establishment of High Shade

The planting holes should be 0.6 m (2.0 ft) deep

with a top diameter of 0.3 m (1.0 ft)

Mix dolomite at the rate of 1.0 kg (2.0 lb) into

each planting hole.

Establish high shade at 6m x 6m and, thin down

them to a spacing of 12.0 m x 12.0 m (40 ft x 40
ft) and the medium shade to 6.0 m x 7.2 m (20
ft x 24 ft) by the third year
Plant shade trees in the tea row to
facilitate easy movement of workers.

Raise both Grevillea and Albizzia

seedlings in poly bags and plant them out
in the field with the onset of monsoon.
Management of High Shade

Pollard the Albizzia trees at a height of 6.0 m (20 ft)

when they are over 3 years and Grevillea trees at a
height of 5 m (15 ft) when they are 10 years old.

There after, pollard the upright branches annually.

Leave at least 3-4 healthy branches below the point of
pollarding at different directions.

The average life span of Grevillea and Albizzia is 30

and 12 years respectively.
Management of High Shade

Establish the replacements when the

existing Grevillea is 20 years old and
Albizzia 8 years.
Removal of old Shade Trees

Ring-bark and uproot shade trees along

with tea prior to replanting

Retain the Gravillea trees under 10

years old or girth is below 60 cm (24
inches, in replanting block.

Ring-bark shade trees at least 2 years

before felling them.
Removal of old Shade Trees ….

Fell the shade trees after all the leaves have

turned yellow and fallen. Cover the stumps with
earth after cutting the shade trees below the soil
level.

Plant new shade trees well before the old ones

are removed, to ensure the field is not left
without shade.

Ring-barking is not necessary if the roots can be

completely removed at uprooting.
Plant Albizzia moluccana or Albizzia chienensis
around large rock outcrops in tea field to prevent
heating up of the rock, which radiates heat and
scorches the tea around.
Areas need further investigations on shade
trees:

Amount of N fixed by leguminous shade trees:

Competition for nutrients between shade trees and tea

bushes:

Micro-climate under shade:

Sun-lover and shade-lover tea varieties

Optimum requirement of shade for different clones:

Section and breeding for ideal shade species:

 • Different Canopies
• Local fast growing tree species
• Nitrogen fixing tree species
• Complete ground cover
• Thick layer of organic matter
• Keep untouched, without
removing anything

• Store the rain water and trickle down slowly

• Make a humid micro climate favorable for tea
• Improve the organic matter and nutrients
• Host the predators of tea pest, eg. Birds
• Make the environment cooler
• Reduce the wind velocity
• Minimize the erosion
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