Induced Polyploidy as a Tool for Increasing Tea(Camellia sinensis L.) Production

Tea （Camellia sinensis L.） represents different ploidy levels. In the present paper, we reviewed the recent data on the diploid, aneuploid and polyploid formed their origin and chemically induced polyploidy and predicted it role in teagenetic improvement for better yield. Different polidy levels had different effects on tea physiology. Tetraploid and triploid had more vigour and hardness due to increased size of cells, while triploid could have even more vigours due to increased size of cells and sterilities. Chemically induced polyploidy had been found an important tool for improving plant physiology and production, therefore, induced polyploids should be produced to overcome the problem of low yield and limited rainfall in tea growing areas.

Genetic analyses of ancient tea trees provide insights into the breeding history and dissemination of Chinese Assam tea(Camellia sinensis var.assamica)

Chinese Assam tea(Camellia sinensis var.assamica)is an important tea crop with a long history of cultivation in Yunnan,China.Despite its potential value as a genetic resource,its genetic diversity and domestication/breeding history remain unclear.To address this issue,we genotyped 469 ancient tea plant trees representing 26 C.sinensis var.assamica populations,plus two of its wild relatives(six and three populations of C.taliensis and C.crassicolumna,respectively)using 16 nuclear microsatellite loci.Results showed that Chinese Assam tea has a relatively high,but comparatively lower gene diversity(H_(S)=0.638)than the wild relative C.crassicolumna(H_S=0.658).Clustering in STRUCTURE indicated that Chinese Assam tea and its two wild relatives formed distinct genetic groups,with considerable interspecific introgression.The Chinese Assam tea accessions clustered into three gene pools,corresponding well with their geographic distribution.However,New Hybrids analysis indicated that 68.48%of ancient Chinese Assam tea plants from Xishuangbanna were genetic intermediates between the Puer and Lincang gene pools.In addition,10%of the ancient Chinese Assam tea individuals were found to be hybrids between Chinese Assam tea and C.taliensis.Our results suggest that Chinese Assam tea was domesticated separately in three gene pools(Puer,Lincang and Xishuangbanna)in the Mekong River valley and that the hybrids were subsequently selected during the domestication process.Although the domestication history of Chinese Assam tea in southwestern Yunnan remains complex,our results will help to identify valuable genetic resources that may be useful in future tea breeding programs.

In vitro anti-hyaluronidase activity of Sri Lankan low grown orthodox orange pekoe grade black tea(Camellia sinensis L.)

Objective:To access the anti-hyaluronidase activity of Sri Lankan low grown orthodox orange pekoe（OP） grade black tea with a view to develop an anti-aging skin formulation.Methods:Five concentrations（0.125,0.250,0.500,1.000 and 2.000 mg/mL） of black tea brew（BTB） were made using a freeze dried sample of Sri Lankan low grown orthodox OP grade black tea which was prepared according to international organization for standardization specification.Epigallocatechin gallate（EGCG） was used as the reference agent（concentrations tested:0.012,0.025,0.050,0.100 and 0.200 mg/mL）.Anti-hyaluronidase activity of BTB and EGCG in vitro were ascertained spectrometrically using hyaluronic acid（from rooster comb）and bovine testicular hyaluronidase.Results:The results revealed that BTB had moderate[IC50=（1.09±0.12） mg/mL]and dose dependent（r2=0.94） anti-hyaluronidase activity.EGCG also exhibited dose dependent（r2=0.93,P【0.05） anti-hyaluronidase activity which was superior[IC50=（0.09±0.00） mg/mL]to BTB.Conclusions:Sri Lankan low grown orthodox OP gradc black tca has promising antihyaluronidase activity in vitro and has the potential to be used as an anti-aging cosmaceutical.In addition,it may prove useful as a beverage in the management of allergy,some joint diseases and cnvenomation.

Preparation of high molecular weight （HMW） genomic DNA from tea plant （Camellia sinensis） for BAC library construction

A bacterial artificial chromosome （BAC） library is an invaluable resource tool to initiate tea plant genomics research, and the preparation of high molecular weight （HMW） genomic DNA is a crucial first step for constructing a BAC Library. In order to construct a BAC library for enhancing tea plant genomics research, a new method for the preparation of tea pant high molecular weight （HMW） genomic DNA must be developed due to young tea plant leaves and shoots are notably rich in both tea polyphenols and tea polysaccharides. In this paper, a modified method for preparing high quality tea plant HMW genomi~ DNA was optimized, and the quality of tea plant genomic DNA was evaluated. The results were as follows： Critical indicators of HMW DNA preparation were the appearance of the smooth nuclei in solution （as opposed to sticky-gummy） before agarose plug solidification, non-dark colored nuclei plugs after lysis with an SDS/proteinase K solution, and the quality and quantity of HMW DNA fragments after restriction enzyme digestion. Importantly, 1% dissolved PVP-40 and 1% un-dissolved PVP-40 during the nuclei extraction steps, in conjunction with the removal of PVP-40 from the plug washing and nuclei lysis steps, were critical for achieving HWM tea plant DNA suitable for BAC library construction. Additionally, a third PFGE fraction selection step to eliminate contaminating small DNA fragments. The modifications provided parameters that may have prevented deleterious interactions from tea polyphenols and tea polysaccharides. The HMW genomic DNA produced by this new modified method has been used to successfully construct a large-insert tea plant BAC library, and thus may be suitable for BAC library construction from other plant species that contain similarly interfering compounds.

Comparative Effect of Ca, K, Mn and B on Post-Drought Stress Recovery in Tea [<i>Camellia sinensis</i>(L.) O <i>Kuntze</i>]

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most important economic crops. Being perennial in nature, tea plant often experiences natural drought, which affects its growth and productivity. The present investigation was undertaken to understand the mechanism of post-drought stress recovery on rehydration and the effect of nutrients in the recovery process of the selected clones of Camellia sinensis L. (TV-1, TV-20, TV-29 & TV-30). The results demonstrated that decrease in relative water content (RWC), dry mass of leaf and antioxidants like-ascorbate and glutathione in all the tested clones, as a result of imposed water stress, which caused damage was not permanent. Increase in phenolic content with decrease in O2-, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation was indication of the recovery of stress induced oxidative damage following the post stress rehydration. Further, the post drought recovery was enhanced by foliar spray of K, Ca, Mn & B. Differential activities of enzymes like SOD, CAT, POX, GR and PPO in response to foliar spray of nutrients in rehydrated plant improved the recovery process. The present study reveals that the tested nutrients (K, Ca, Mn & B) showed some positive response in influencing growth and antioxidative responses during post drought recovery process, where K and Ca showed comparatively better effect in improving post drought recovery potential in tea plant.

Quantitative Analysis of ATP Sulfurylase and Selenocysteine Methyltransferase Gene Expression in Different Organs of Tea Plant (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>)

Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) has unique biological features for the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms, an evergreen broad-leaved woody plant which can accumulate selenium in soil abundant of Selenium. Expression of the genes related to Selenium (Se) metabolism is an adaptation to the soil environment for a long period. The purpose of the present study was to explore if there exist differences of expression about these genes in tea plant between growing in Selenium-abundant and normal soil. A quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR) assay was done for quantification of ATP sulfurylase (APS) and selenocysteine methyltransferase (SMT) mRNA normalized to Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene in tea plant. Young leaves, mature leaves and tender roots from tea plants growing in soil abundant of Selenium were respectively obtained from Shitai County, Anhui Province, and also the relevant materials of the selenium un-enriched tea plant planted at agricultural garden of Ahui Agriculture University were taken as control for real-time PCR analysis. The results showed that APS1, APS2 and SMT expression levels for either young or mature leaves in selenium-enriched tea plant were lower than that in ordinary (selenium un-enriched) tea plant. In contrast, the APS1, APS2 and SMT expression level of roots in selenium-enriched tea plant were all higher than that in ordinary tea plant. APS1 gene expression level of roots in selenium-enriched tea plant was about 1.6 times higher than that in the ordinary tea plant, APS2 gene expression level was about 4.8-fold higher than that in the ordinary tea plant, SMT gene expression level was about 3.3 times higher than that in the ordinary tea plant. Among various tissues of selenium-enriched tea plant, APS1 gene relative expression level of young leaves was similar to or slightly higher than mature leaves, and the one of roots was the lowest among them;APS2 gene relative expression level of young leaves was similar to or slightly higher than the roots, and the one of mature leaves was the lowest among them;SMT gene relative expression level of young leaves was similar to or slightly higher than mature leaves, and the one of roots was the highest among them. Our results suggest that there existed correlation between selenium and expression levels of these genes.

Identification of miRNAs and target genes regulating catechin biosynthesis in tea (Camellia sinensis)

Micro RNAs（miRNAs） are endogenous non-protein-coding small RNAs that play crucial and versatile regulatory roles in plants. Using a computational identification method, we identified 55 conserved miRNAs in tea（Camellia sinensis） by aligning miRNA sequences of different plant species with the transcriptome library of tea strain 1005. We then used quantitative real-time PCR（qRT-PCR） to analyze the expression of 31 identified miRNAs in tea leaves of different ages, thereby verifying the existence of these miRNAs and confirming the reliability of the computational identification method. We predicted which miRNAs were involved in catechin synthesis using ps RNAtarget Software based on conserved miRNAs and catechin synthesis pathway-related genes. Then, we used RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of c DNA ends（RLM-RACE） to obtain seven miRNAs cleaving eight catechin synthesis pathway-related genes including chalcone synthase（CHS）, chalcone isomerase（CHI）, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase（DFR）, anthocyanidin reductase（ANR）, leucoanthocyanidin reductase（LAR）, and flavanone 3-hydroxylase（F3H）. An expression analysis of miRNAs and target genes revealed that miR529d and miR156 g-3 p were negatively correlated with their targets CHI and F3H, respectively. The expression of other miRNAs was not significantly related to their target genes in the catechin synthesis pathway. The RLM-RACE results suggest that catechin synthesis is regulated by miRNAs that can cleave genes involved in catechin synthesis.

Peroxidase Inhibition and Antioxidant Activity of Bulk-Marketed Black Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>L.) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The widely known leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) derive the most consumed beverage globally. All over the world, like in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), they are marketed in the form of packaged and in bulk black tea. The aim of this study was to report the microscopic botanical features, the chromatographic fingerprints, the antioxidant activities, and the peroxidase inhibition of bulk-marketed black teas consumed in DR Congo. The microscopic analysis of powders from unpackaged black tea marketed in DR Congo allowed the identification of specific microscopical features, which are characteristic to C. sinensis (L.) such as numerous asterosclerites, numerous fragments of unicellular trichomes;fragments of abaxial epidermis consisting of cells with slightly wavy walls, numerous anomocytic stomata, and the detection of biological contaminants, e.g. the dust mites. TLC and HPLC analysis indicated that flavonoids (hyperoside, rutin) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, gallic acid) were major phenolic compounds, along with other secondary metabolites. Aqueous extracts from all bulk-marketed black teas exhibited good antioxidant activities at the concentrations range of 1 - 20 μg·mL-1 using in vitro ABTS and DPPH assays. These extracts showed equally inhibitory effects on myeloperoxidase (MPO) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) activities at the concentration ranges of 1 - 20 μg·mL-1 and 20 - 100 μg·mL-1 respectively. Bulk-marketed black teas consumed in DR Congo possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties comparable to packaged Ceylon tea largely marketed. The observed bioactivities support the health benefits of the consumed black tea by Congolese people, despite the storage conditions to be improved in order to preserve its nutritional and therapeutic assets.

Screening of Adoptive Elite Tea (Camellia sinensis) Clones

The research screening of adoptive elite tea clones was conducted at NTRI, Mansehra during 2011-2012. Nine clones 101Aa, 105aa, 108aa, 561aa, ll7aa, 219ab, 470bb and 180bd were evaluated for seedling performance. Randomized complete block design was used with three replications. Data was recorded on various morphological characters after 8 months. The results showed that high survival percentage, shoot length, number of roots plant-1, number of leaves plant1 and root length were observed in clone 105aa. While the highest fresh weight and dry weight of leaves were observed in clones 117aa and 105aa. The clone 105aa was drought resistant, high survival percentage and root growth. On the basis of the results, clone 105aa was recommended for cultivation through cuttings in the hilly areas of Pakistan where unequal rainfall distribution was a major hitch.

Genome-Wide Characterization of the Cellulose Synthase Gene Superfamily in Tea Plants(Camellia sinensis)

The cellulose synthase gene superfamily,including Cellulose synthase A(CesA)and cellulose synthase-like(Csl)gene families,is responsible for the synthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose,respectively.The CesA/Csl genes are vital for abiotic stress resistance and shoot tenderness regulation of tea plants(Camellia sinensis).However,the CesA/Csl gene family has not been extensively studied in tea plants.Here,we identified 53 CsCesA/Csl genes in tea plants.These genes were grouped into five subfamilies(CsCesA,CsCslB,CsCslD,CsCslE,CsCslG)based on the phylogenetic relationships with Arabidopsis and rice.The analysis of chromosome distribution,gene structure,protein domain and motif revealed that most genes in CsCesA,CsCslD and CsCslE subfamilies were conserved,whereas CsCslB and CsCslG subfamily members are highly diverged.The transcriptome analysis showed that most CsCesA/Csl genes displayed tissue-specific expression pattern.In addition,members of CsCslB4,CsCesA1/3/6,CsCslB3/4,CsCslD3,CsCslE1 and CsCslG2/3 subfamilies were up-regulated under drought and cold stresses,indicating their potential roles in regulating stress tolerance in tea plants.Furthermore,the expression levels of CsCslG2_6 and CsCslD3_5 in different tissues and cultivars,respectively,were positively correlated with the cellulose content that is negatively related with shoot tenderness.Thus,these two genes were speculated to be involved in the regulation of shoot tenderness in tea plants.Our findings may help elucidate the evolutionary relationships and expression patterns of the CsCesA/Csl genes in tea plants,and provide more candidate genes responsible for stress tolerance and tenderness regulation in tea plants for future functional research.

Effect of Enriched Cattle Manure on Soil Nutrient Status, Nitrogen Uptake and Yield of Tea （Camellia sinensis）

Inorganic fertilizer NPK （nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium） （S） 25：5：5：5 is generally recommended for optimum yield and quality of tea （Camellia sinensis）. Non-judicious use of this inorganic fertilizer however acidifies the soils and pollutes the environment. Integrated soil fertility management （ISFM） which involves the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizer is recommended for improved crop yield and soil health. An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of enriching cattle manure with different ratios of inorganic fertilizers （OM： NPKS at ratios 1：2 and 1：4）, and rates on soil nutrient status, nitrogen uptake and yield of tea in the east of Rift Valley, Kenya. Enriching manures and organic manure up to a rate of 150 kg N/ha increased the level of P mature leaf. A higher N and K level in the mature leaf was observed when NPKS was applied at higher rates. In the soil, fertilizer rate up to 150 kg N/ha showed higher pH and K where organic manure and enriched manures were applied while NPKS treatment showed higher P content throughout the soil depths. Enriching organic manures with inorganic fertilizers increased yield significantly.

Functional Components of Tea(Camellia Sinensis)Germplasms Collected in Korea

This study was carried out to obtain useful information and to search quality related components for breeding of tea by analysis of Korean local tea leaves at Sulloc-Cha R&D center in Jeju Island,Korea.It was also conducted to measure the major agronomic characteristics of 300 local germplasms.These results allowed us to select some superior lines as genetic resources for green-tea breeding and research genotypes.

Evaluation on Suitability of Camellia sinensis Planting Based on GIS

Camellia sinensis is an important commercial crop in China. Suitability evaluation of tea tree planting, which is an embodiment of agricultural planting based on Geographic Information System（GIS）, includes overlay analysis, hierarchical analysis,artificial intellegence, multivariable linear regression and fuzzy evaluation. Via a series of functions of GIS such as data query, retrieve and management, we can be informed of current situation and problems in tea plant development, find out areas which are appropriate or inappropriate for Camellia sinensis planting and figure out corresponding planting schemes and policies. Science and technology are the basic solution to modernization of Camellia sinensis planting. It is necessary to set up decision information and plantation management systems in agriculture on account of GIS, which are important channels to regionalization of Camellia sinensis planting suitability.

New Process for Extracting Oil and Starch from Tea Seeds

A new process for extracting oil and starch from tea seed was introduced. The new process included one special link compared with all of the processes used now for tea seed oil and starch production. The link was static fermentation by which oil bodies and starch were separated naturally from tea seeds. By the process, tea seed oil and starch which were in conformity with government standards about edible oil and starch were successfully produced with 16% and 8% of production rate, respectively. The new process has many advantages, such as more simple equipments, lower production cost and whole natural products, etc..

Analysis and Evaluation of Biochemical Components in Bitter Tea Plant Germplasms

Bitter tea is a special kind of tea germplasm in China.The major biochemical components of 24 bitter teas and other 8 Camellia sinensis var.sinensis and 8 C.sinensis var.assamica tea germplasms,which were stored in the China National Germplasm Hangzhou Tea Repository(CNGHTR),were analyzed and evaluated.The results showed that no significant differences of major biochemical components affecting the tea quality were found between bitter tea and common tea.According to the processing suitability index,bitter tea was suitable for the manufacturing of black tea;while according to evolutionary indices such as the composition and content of catechin,bitter tea was similar to C.sinensis var.assamica belonging to the relatively primitive type in evolution.The results of cluster analysis indicated that bitter tea was clustered with C.sinensis var.assamica,so it could be considered to belong to C.sinensis var.assamica.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Wild Tea Plants in Yunnan Province Using EST-SSR Markers

In this study, 27 pairs of EST-SSR primers were employed to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic relationship of 100 wild tea plant germplasm re- sources and 22 cultivars, according to the results, a total of 88 polymorphic bands were amplified with 27 pairs of primers; the variation of effective alleles accounted for 69.01% ; a total of 183 genotypes were detected, with a variation range of 4 -11 ; averagely 6.78 genotypes were amplified with each primer pair; Shannon index （I） of 27 primer pairs ranged from 0.32 to I. 35, with an average of 0.88 ; the observed heterozygosity （0.52） was basically consistent with the expected het- erozygosity （0.52） ; the average polymorphism heterozygosity was 0.48, which was very close to 0.50 ; the average Nei＇s index was 0.51, which was higher than 0. 50 ; the average polymorphism information content （PIC） was 0.52, which was higher than 0.50, indicating high genetic diversity among wild tea germplasm resources in Yuunan Province. According to the clustering results, based on geographical origins and genetic backgrounds, 122 materials were clustered into 14 categories. Dendrogram based on Nei＇s genetic distance revealed complex genetic relationships among wild tea germplasm resources in Yunnan Province. This study provided certain reference for subsequent preservation, development and research of wild tea germplasm resources in China.

Antimicrobial activity of green tea extract against isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Objective:To evaluate antibacterial activity of the Indonesian water soluble green tea extract,Camellia sinensis,against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (S.aureus)(MRSA)and multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa(MDR-P.aeruginosa).Methods:Antimicrobial activity of green tea extract was determined by the disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)was determined by the twofold serial broth dilutions method.The tested bacteria using in this study were the standard strains and multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of S.aureus and P.aeruginosa,obtained from Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology,Faculty of Medicine,University of Indonesia.Results:The results showed that the inhibition zone diameter of green tea extracts forS.aureus ATCC 25923 and MRSA were(18.970依0.287)mm,and(19.130依0.250)mm respectively.While the inhibition zone diameter forP.aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and MDR-P.aeruginosawere(17.550依0.393)mm and(17.670依0.398)mm respectively.The MIC of green tea extracts againstS.aureus ATCC 25923 and MRSA were 400μg/mL and 400μg/mL,respectively,whereas the MIC for P.aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and MDR-P.aeruginosawere 800μg/mL,and 800μg/mL,respectively.Conclusions:Camellia sinensisleaves extract could be useful in combating emerging drug-resistance caused by MRSA andP.aeruginosa.

Discrimination of Green,Oolong,and Black Teas by GC-MS Analysis of Characteristic Volatile Flavor Compounds

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world and its quality is influenced by geographical origin and production methods. This study focuses on the volatile aroma components of 38 tea products from China, Japan, Indonesia, Sri-Lanka, and Chinese Taipei;among them 7 green teas, 13 oolong teas, and 18 black teas. The volatiles were extracted from the infusions using PorapakQ-resin, concentrated, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The components were identified by authentic reference compounds or preliminary based on their mass spectra. Different manufacturing processes yield different blends of aroma compounds. In general, the contents of total volatiles, aliphatics, aromatics, and terpenoids increased with the fermentation degree, whereas jasmine lactone and indole were the highest in oolong teas. Some particular manufacturing processes, for example, the use of tea leaves infested by the tea green leafhopper, lead to higher contents of volatiles in final products as in Oriental Beauty oolong tea. The relative peak areas determined for 82 volatiles were the basis for the statistical analysis and highlight the potential of multivariate analysis to distinguish tea samples of different categories.

A New Strain of Entomopathogenic Bacillus of the Tea Pest, Eterusia magnifica （Butl.） （Zyganiidae： Lepidoptera） from Darjeeling Foothill Region of India

An entomopathogenic strain of Bacillus sp. was isolated from diseased red slug caterpillars of the leaf-feediug pest of tea, Eterusia magnifica, from the Darjeeling foothill region. Analysis of the bacterimn based on polyphasic approach such as growth phase, biochemical tests, whole body＂ protein, crystal protein profiles along with bioassay （i.e. LC50 and LT50 values） established it as a different strain but close to Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki （Btk）, the commercial microbial pesticides of lepidopterans. Among biochemical parameters differences were noted between the new strain and Btk in ONPG, lysine decarboxylase, omithin decarboxylase, urease, nitrate reduction, V-P and glucose utilization tests. PAGE analysis of the whole body protein for the new strain recorded a 34 kDa band which was absent in Btk （used as reference）. Crystal protein profile of the newly isolated bacterial strain showed 53 and 49 kDa bands whereas in Btk only 52 kDa band was evident. Although the LC50 values of the new strain and Btk were close, their LT50 values were much different, the new strain showing a lower value than Btk. In light of the above differences and in absence of any report of entomopathogenic bacterial strain of E. magnifica, the isolated strain of Bacillus appeared to be new to science and hence was designated as RS01. The new strain opens up the possibility of its futttre use as microbial pesticide after standardizing its formulation and checking its safety aspects.

Variation in Catechin Composition of Popularly Cultivated Tea Clones in East Africa (Kenya)

Tea polyphenols and catechins have gained prominence in determination of tea quality. Tea leaves contain large amounts of catechins and their derivatives and these have shown positive effects on human health. An experiment was carried out to determine the level of catechins and polyphenols in 20 new clones found in two distinct tea growing areas. The trial comprising twenty clones was established in two distinct sites in Kenya using randomized complete block design with three replicates and consisted of 10 popular cultivars widely cultivated in the Lake Victoria Basin and additional 10 newly improved clones. Tea leaf samples were collected across two seasons;dry and wet seasons. Tea quality parameters entailing catechins, caffeine and total polyphenols was generated for the 20 clones across the two seasons and sites. The ISO 14502-1 and ISO 14502-1:2005 procedures were used for polyphenol and catechin analyses, respectively. The ANOVA results generated indicated that the level of catechins and polyphenols in tea were significantly different (p 0.05) and varietal dependent. Generally, the assam varieties had higher levels of catechins and polyphenols than the chinary and cambod varieties, indicating why they are popularly cultivated in the East African region and whose tea quality is highly regarded. Furthermore, the results from principle component analysis (PCA) grouped the clones into three major clusters with one comprising of high quality assam varieties, a mixture of moderate quality assam, cambod and chinary varieties and low catechin content assam anthocyanin-rich variety. It is concluded that the level of catechins in tea plants are varietal dependent, although environmental stress has effects on the synthesis of flavanoids. The results demonstrated that the differences in the accumulation of catechins among the tea clones could be important for the discrimination of clonal diversity.