Polyphenols as Potential Indicators for Drought Tolerance in Tea (Camellia sinensis L.).

The article reports on an experiment to determine the association of tea polyphenols with water stress and their suitability as indicators for drought tolerance. Plant growth was monitored and the water stress index was calculated. The total polyphenols in tea shoots was analyzed and a regression analysis was performed. The results indicate that soil water content reduced both growth and content of polyphenols in tea.