Management and technology of tea production Department

This research group is composed of different disciplines as follows:

The Soils And Plant Nutrition section activities are directed towards the establishment of optimum nutrient quantities of plant material necessary for the productivity improvements whilst ensuring profitability and preventing environmental degradation through integration of soils nutrient dynamics and plant nutrition and fertilizer inputs.

The Entomology and Nematology, Plant Pathology section engages in research on development of integrated pest management strategies to maintain the pest population densities below the Economical injury level in order to ensure safe living and sustainability of the tea eco system. Furthermore, analytical services for the diagnosis of infestations of pests and nematodes are also provided. 

Agronomy section focuses on the introduction of novel, appropriate and cost effective crop establishment and management practices for tea cultivation in order to enhance land productivity, effective use of labour, conservation of soil, water and environment and improvements of made tea quality. The division also undertakes a pre-assessment of the suitability of machines used in field operations and conducts field training programs on key agronomic practices, such as mechanization of harvesting and pruning.

Missions

Support farmers and tea plantations through research, innovation, technology and education at the highest levels of excellence to make transformative changes to achieve sustainability goals.

Key Research Areas

Improvement of tea quality and production by:

· Best soil fertility management strategies

· evaluation of sources of fertilizers, rates and frequencies of application

· Development and evaluation of methods for soils and plant nutrient analysis

· Ecological pest & disease management

· Development of accurate and rapid disease diagnostic & screening methods

· Identification of biological, cultural and chemical control strategies for the incorporation to integrated disease management strategies

· Mechanization of field practices

· Sprinkle and drip irrigation

Main research outcomes

· Soil fertility maps of tea growing soils in Iran

• Proof of root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus loosi as key pest in Iranian tea
• Fertilizer recommendation for mature tea plants
• Dolomite and lime recommendation for correction of soil pH
• Site-specific fertilizer recommendations
• Introduction of locally available bio-control agents to manage mites and Nematodes
• Successful implementation of classical biological control for mites management

Faculty members

1. Four PhD ( Plant pathologist, Entomologist, Soil Scientist) and a MSc( Water enginiring)

Laboratories

1. Soil, Plant and water Analysis

2. Pest & disease

3. Irrigation and Agricultural machinery

Lab facilities

Atomic absorption spectrometry, Spectrophotometer, Flame photometer, pH meter, EC Meter, Soil texture set, Auto Kejeltic, Binocular and Microscopes and etc.