Genetic and breeding

Genetic and breeding department was established as one of the subgroups of the Tea Research Center with the aim of introducing improved tea cultivars in order to increase yield, improve quality, and deal with biotic and abiotic stresses. This department, with three faculty members, two researchers, one expert and two specialized laboratories consist of; breeding, and tissue culture trying to carry out research projects in the field of genetic and breeding.

Targets

• Introducing improved tea cultivars in order to increase yield, improve quality, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

• Investigation, recognition, formation and protection of the tea germplasm collection.

• Strengthen the existing genetic pool through importing foreign germplasms.

• Utilizing and developing the genetic diversity of tea to create superior genetic resource.

• Access to commercial technologies in the field of breeding, genetic and micro-propagation of tea.

• Production and propagation of superior seedlings using modern methods of micro-propagation of tea.

Abilities

• Production and propagation of high yield cultivars, with good quality and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses by using conventional and new breeding methods.

• Carrying out research projects in the fields of breeding, botany, genetics, biometrics, biology, cytology, physiology and field management.

• Studying and conducting research activities in horticulture and economic management of the field by improving the methods of propagation, cultivation, cutting, pruning, leaf picking, harvesting, eradication of old tea plants and replacement with modified cultivars.

• Production and propagation of primary nuclei of modified seeds.

• Identifying, collecting, creating and maintaining genetic diversity, as well as importing genetic materials with other tea-producing countries in order to develop the capacity to exploit genetic resources and strengthen genetic vigor.

Achievements

•Introducing two cultivars named: Kashef and Lahij.

•Achieving two promising clonal variety.

• Investigation of genetic diversity of Iranian tea.

• Access to genetic and cytogenetic information of tea.

• Localization of tea tissue culture technique.

• Achieving the technique of tea grafting.

• Extracting and measuring oil from tea seeds.