In situ estimation of leaf chlorophyll and its relationship with photosynthesis in tea

In situ estimation of leaf chlorophyll (Chi) was carried out in tea using Minolta chlorophyll meter and the values were compared with those obtained by the conventional method or Chi quantification. A linear relationship between the values obtained by chlorophyll meter SPAD and total Chi content, Chi a, Chi b and carotenoid content was found. Besides the linear function of SPAD values, wide variation in the mean values of Chi content was observed in clones and jats. SPAD values when regressed with Chi content of a single cultivar, the correlation coefficient values were highly significant than the pooled samples. Strong, positive correlation existed between SPAD values and rate of photosynthetic carbon assimilation. Photosynthetic rate (P_N) of tea leaves could be predicted using the SPAD values. Validation of regression equation was experimented using infra-red gas analyser.