Nitrate Reductase Activity as a Selection Criterion On Tea

Abstract

Different tea clones exhibited significant variations in their yields and nitrate reductase activities(NRA), with younger leaves having higher NRA than the older mature ones. A stronger correlation existed between yield and NRA irrespective of the age as long as the leaves of the same age exist were used consistently. Nitrate reductase activity varied with age after planting and time of day. Thus to be used as a clonal selection criterion, plants must be of the same age, from one field and sampling must be done at the same time.