Betjan

Betjan is one of Assam's traditional "jat" tea varieties — propagated from seed rather than as a clonal cutting, and named after the Betjan Tea Estate in upper Assam where its seed baries (seed gardens) were maintained. It is a poly-parent seed variety, meaning its seed comes from a genetically diverse population of mother trees rather than a single clone, which historically gave it good adaptability to local growing conditions. Betjan bushes are described as sturdy and environmentally tolerant, producing tea noted for depth of body and flavour — qualities credited with helping build Assam tea's early reputation. Betjan seed was also exported and used to help establish tea cultivation outside India, including in Argentina.

Plant typeOpen-pollinated
MaturityFirst pluck 4–5 years after planting (seed-origin jat)
Yield potential1,600–2,000 kg made tea/ha/year at full maturity
Disease resistanceModerate blister blight tolerance
SoilLoam
SeasonKharif

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

• Assam

• TV1 (Tocklai Vegetative 1)

  From Tocklai Tea Research Institute, propagated as rooted clonal cuttings, not grown from seed. The most widely planted Assam clone for over half a century — good liquor quality at a yield most seedling-origin tea cannot match.

  Open crop guide

• UPASI-9

  From UPASI Tea Research Institute, propagated as rooted clonal cuttings, not grown from seed. The south Indian counterpart to the Assam clones, grown across the Nilgiris and high ranges — but note it is a susceptible clone under the blister-blight pressure those tracts see every monsoon, not a resistant one; grown there for rooting vigour, drought tolerance and canopy spread instead.

  Open crop guide