Abstract
Twenty-four clones of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] were investigated for genotypic association of six yield components, their effect on yield, and pluck quality value. The experiment was a completely randomized design with three replicates. Two yield components: weight of terminal bud and the first leaf were positively associated with yield. Path analysis showed that the value of genotypic correlation of terminal bud weight on yield (0.444) was similar to its direct effect (0.446). The weight of the first leaf showed maximum positive effect on yield. Hence, selection for higher yield in tea clones can be weight of terminal bud and first leaf in connection with tea quality selection. Differences in pluck quality values were significant (P = 0.05) among the tea clones studied. Clones UNK-1, 68, 228, 237, and 14 had the best pluck quality values in ascending order, while Clone 318 had the lowest.
