EFFECTS OF EPIPHYTES ON TEA PRODUCTION AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

Epiphytes are a group of non-parasitic plants that settle to obtain support from plants. Under the natural forest ecosystem, the presence of epiphytes is an indicator of unpolluted and undisturbed environment. However, massive infestation by epiphytes to commercial tree crops including tea is a concern to productivity. A study was conducted initiated to determine the influence of different management options on epiphytes which included mosses, ferns, maidenhair ferns, and tongue ferns. The study evaluated the influence of different management options on epiphytes and to determine the effect of the management options on tea yields. The experiment was laid on a field infested with epiphytes in split plot design treatment structure in a randomized complete block layout, replicated three times. In the main plots the epiphytes were manually removed from the tea bush branches whereas the control was left in situ while the subplots involved use of agricultural chemicals; Copper Nordox, Cuprocaffaro, Milraz, Hydrate of lime, Round up Turbo and control (untreated). Post-treatment scoring for 3 years of all types of epiphytes was done using a scale to determine the level of yellowing, scorching, and regrowth. Yield data were also recorded for one prune cycle of four years and data was subjected to analysis of variance. The main treatments (disturbed and undisturbed) management options did not influence the efficacy of the chemical products on epiphytic mosses but disturbance reduced (p ≤0.05) levels of the epiphytic ferns. Copperbased products (Copper Nordox and Cuprocaffaro) reduced (p ≤0.05) in mosses levels (reducing the degree of yellowing and regrowth) than other products and the control. However, all chemical products reduced (p ≤0.05) levels of epiphytic ferns. The removal of epiphytes on the tea branches increased (p ≤0.05) the yield of tea, while chemical products were ineffective in improving yields. This study, therefore, concludes that the epiphytes on the tea frame have effects on the functioning of the tea bush and removal of the massive epiphytes is necessary for improved productivity of tea bush.