Intercropping

In order to enhance the management level of tea garden production, ensuring stable and high yields as well as improved quality and efficiency, on August 7th, the Jiangmen Agricultural Technology Extension Service Platform, in conjunction with the Kaiping Agricultural Technology Extension Service Station, invited Senior Agronomist Huang Hualin to conduct a live training session on the theme of “Tea Garden Planning and Planting Management” at Dahasha Valley in Dasha Town, Kaiping City. At the event, Expert Huang Hualin combined theory with practice to provide an accessible explanation of tea garden management and production processing techniques. He emphasized and guided the intercropping model of tea and beans, aiming to improve the nutrient utilization efficiency of tea plants and achieve the goal of reducing fertilizer use while increasing efficiency. Subsequently, Expert Huang Hualin discussed aspects of planting management such as sowing techniques, weeding and fertilization, pruning, and pest control. He also reminded farmers that after the growth and harvesting periods of spring and summer, tea plants lose their stored nutrients and soil nutrients, necessitating strengthened management of tea gardens in autumn and winter to ensure the healthy growth of tea plants and improve the quality and yield of tea leaves. Finally, Expert…

Weed control is a critical aspect of managing young tea gardens in Guizhou. Techniques such as manual weeding, tillage weeding, and mulching have proven effective, but they require significant labor and material inputs. Manual weeding alone can cost 700 to 800 RMB per mu, increasing the overall management costs of the tea garden. Intercropping soybeans in young tea gardens can effectively suppress weed growth, improve the ecological environment, and enhance soil fertility. Additionally, this practice generates supplementary income of around 1,000 RMB per mu. Soybeans are an important oilseed crop, and China's current production falls short of domestic demand. Intercropping soybeans in young tea gardens aligns with national policies aimed at increasing soybean production capacity and ensuring food security. To leverage the weed control and soil fertility benefits of intercropping soybeans, the Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences Tea Research Institute has developed this plan. Soybean intercropping in tea gardens in Datun Village, Shiqian County General Requirements 1. Adhere to Tea Garden Safety Principles All pesticides and fertilizers used in tea gardens must comply with Guizhou's safety standards. No pesticides or fertilizers prohibited in tea gardens should be applied, even if they are suitable for soybeans. 2. Balance Tea Management and…

Guidelines for High-Temperature Drought Early Warning and Disaster Mitigation Measures in Tea Gardens Hunan Provincial Tea Industry Technology System Li Saijun & Li Wei July 25, 2024 Since early July, our province has been experiencing persistent high temperatures and droughts, with the drought rapidly worsening in most areas, severely impacting normal tea garden production. On July 25, the Hunan Meteorological Observatory issued the first red alert for extreme heat of the summer. In response to this extreme high-temperature and drought climate disaster, the Hunan Provincial Tea Industry Technology System has timely provided technical guidance, proposing specific measures for pre-disaster prevention and protection, as well as post-disaster recovery work in tea gardens. I. Pre-Disaster Prevention and Protection Measures (1) Interspace Covering ① Lay an appropriate amount of straw, fallen leaves, etc., in the gaps between tea plants to cover the soil surface at a thickness of 5-10 cm. This layer helps protect the soil, reducing water evaporation and aiding in the retention of nutrients in the soil. ② Intercropping green manure can effectively provide shade, reduce temperatures, and improve the microclimate within the tea garden, thus effectively preventing damage to tea plants from high temperatures and intense sunlight. (2) Scientific Shading…

For Pu'er tea, many tea enthusiasts have the concept of "drink old tea, store new tea." So, how can we determine if a new tea has collection value? First, making a good tea requires many factors. The most critical are the following three aspects: What kind of new tea has the greatest collection value? I. Raw Materials Without good raw materials, no matter how skillful the process is or how correctly it's stored later, the tea cannot develop a good taste during its transformation later on. 1. Tea Variety A good tea is cultivated by people and is also the result of natural selection over thousands of years. Among various tea varieties, the sexual reproduction-based large-leaf type native to Yunnan is best suited for making Pu'er tea. 2. Growing Environment A suitable environment for growing tea trees. This includes appropriate altitude, proper sunlight duration and intensity, well-spaced planting, appropriate intercropping, no need for pesticides due to biodiversity that prevents the occurrence and development of diseases and pests, etc. 3. Picking Parts and Time Different parts of the tea leaves such as the bud tip, leaf, stalk, and yellow leaf play different roles in the post-fermentation process and have different effects…

Tea gardens are characterized by a diverse range of weeds, complex weed communities, and strong stability. According to incomplete surveys and statistics, there are as many as 202 common weed species found in domestic tea gardens, belonging to 49 families and 163 genera. Weeds can impact the growth of tea plants, causing symptoms such as stunted growth, yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and delayed development. They may also carry diseases or pests that affect tea plants directly or act as intermediate hosts, indirectly impacting the growth and development of tea plants. "Grass to suppress grass" is an integral part of the green and efficient prevention and control technology system for Guizhou tea gardens, embodying the concept of "ecology at its root, agriculture at its core, and biological control first." Planting white clover in tea gardens can effectively suppress weeds and resist tea plant diseases and pests. Below are key technical points for reference. White clover in tea gardens and pollinating insects - bees Intercropping white clover in tea gardens Effective "grass to suppress grass" In recent years, research teams from Guizhou University, the Provincial Plant Protection and Inspection Station, the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Provincial Soil and Fertilizer…

To prevent drought damage in tea gardens and reduce losses in tea production, supplementary measures to replenish water and suppress evaporation can be taken before the onset of drought. These include irrigation to supplement water, loosening the soil and weeding, inter-row grass covering, etc., to maintain and regulate soil moisture and improve the microclimate around the tea plants, thereby enhancing the tea trees' drought resistance. Irrigation Replenishment Tea garden irrigation methods include furrow irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, among others, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Furrow irrigation is suitable for flat tea gardens and can quickly increase soil moisture levels, promptly rescuing drought-stressed tea trees, but it consumes a large amount of water, has a small impact on air humidity, and can lead to waste of water resources through surface runoff and deep seepage, as well as damaging some of the topsoil structure. Drip irrigation reduces evaporation and saves water, but it requires a higher initial investment and cannot effectively improve the microclimate of the tea garden. Therefore, in recent decades, sprinkler irrigation has been the primary method used for drought prevention and mitigation in tea gardens. Sprinkler Irrigation can not only increase soil moisture but also lower…