Developing superior clones is crucial in boosting the market competitiveness of Indonesian green tea (Camellia sinensis L.). However, tea yield and quality mostly sustain influences from temperature, rainfall, and nutrient availability. In the following study, 35 clones of C. sinensis tea underwent assessment for genetic diversity, yield stability, and taste quality under different fertilization conditions at the Research Institute for Tea and Cinchona and the Research Center for Appropriate Technology, Bandung, Indonesia. The field experiment used a randomized block design with three replications. Genetic diversity analysis used the principal component analysis (PCA), with the leaf yield stability analyzed utilizing parametric and non-parametric measurements and flavor quality probed using a t-test. The tea clones revealed the highest genetic diversity for agro-morphological traits. In general, all clones have the same quality according to sensory evaluation. Clones I.1.93, II.4.149, and S3 have an NUE greater than 50%. After fertilization, the nitrogen and potassium levels in the tea plant leaves increased by 0.12% and 0.07%, respectively, while phosphorus decreased by 0.01%. Among the clones, 22 increased in nitrogen, 24 decreased in phosphorus, and 28 clones increased in potassium. Notably, nine clones maintained stable pekoe leaf yields across both fertilized and unfertilized conditions.

Keywords: Tea (C. sinensis L.), selection, leaf yield, dry appearance, liquor color, taste quality, leaf nutrient levels

Key findings: The tea (C. sinensis L.) clones showed significant genetic diversity based on agro-morphological traits. Leaf nitrogen and potassium levels increased by 0.12% and 0.07%, respectively, while phosphorus decreased by 0.01%. Nine promising tea clones consistently performed better both under fertilized and unfertilized conditions.