Genetic variability and G x E interaction for yield components in seed and clonal cultivars of tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

Genotype X environment (G X E) interaction and genetic variiibility for yield components viz. fresh weight, dry weight and volume of two and a bud shoots were studied in 9 seed and 28 donal cultivars of tea over three different seasons. Seed stocks recorded lower mean values of yield components than clones. Variance due to seasons and genotypes (seed stocks and dones) were highly significant. Significantly high G X E interaction in dones revealed the need for testing the dones over different environments. Seed stocks showed higher genetic variability than dones for yield components.