High level of genetic diversity among the selected accessions of tea (Camellia sinensis) from abandoned tea gardens in western Himalaya.

To revive cultivation of the tea unique to the western Himalayan region, it is important to evaluate the seed-derived bushes available in the area's abandoned gardens. This study used quantitative leaf characters, catechin content, and AFLP markers to assess these China cultivar type bushes. Compared with other China cultivar germplasm, these accessions showed a higher level of diversity among themselves. Among the quantitative morphological characters, leaf length is important in distinguishing the accessions studied, with a high loading value in the principal component analysis. The catechins and AFLP markers displayed the genetic makeup of the accessions. Other than total catechins, the trihydroxylated catechins showed a high loading value in differentiating the accessions. The genetic control of the ratio of dihydroxylated and trihydroxylated catechins is found to be based on a correlation with AFLP markers. The genetic similarity between Kangra Asha and Kangra Jat suggests that Kangra Jat must be descended from Kangra Asha. Kangra Jat is well adapted to local environmental conditions, as is evident from its high catechin content.