Organic fertilizer

With the drop in temperature, the growth of the above-ground parts of tea trees slows down gradually while that of the underground parts remains relatively active. Applying base fertilizer in autumn can improve the efficiency of fertilizer use by the tea trees and contribute to enhancing the quality and yield of spring tea the following year. Therefore, it is essential to apply base fertilizers scientifically to tea trees in autumn. I. Principles of Fertilization 1. Organic and chemical fertilizers should be used in combination, with organic fertilizers replacing part of the chemical fertilizers, and base fertilizers should be applied deeply; 2. Maintain a suitable nutrient ratio. Based on soil fertility conditions and tea yield, determine the nitrogen fertilizer amount and enhance the combined application of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium fertilizers, paying attention to the supplementation of sulfur, boron, and other nutrients; 3. For tea gardens with severely acidified soils (soil pH < 4), measures such as applying lime, soil conditioners, or increasing the application of mature livestock manure can be taken to gradually improve the soil; 4. Combine scientific fertilization with green cultivation techniques that increase yield and efficiency. II. Methods of Fertilization 1. Timing of base fertilizer application: It…

Impacted by a moderate-strength El Niño event, and superimposed on the backdrop of global warming, the global average temperature in 2023 may break the record for the warmest year set in 2016. It is expected that temperatures in most regions of China will be close to or higher than the long-term average this winter through to next spring, but with active cold air phases. Precipitation in southern regions is expected to be above normal, increasing the risk of compound meteorological disasters. Given these complex climate changes, timely management of tea gardens during winter can help them safely overwinter and lay a foundation for high-quality tea production and increased income for tea farmers in the coming year. So how should we manage tea gardens in winter? Follow along as we look at the winter and spring tea garden management technical guidelines developed jointly by the Department of Plant Industry Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center, and the Expert Advisory Group for Tea of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. 1. Disaster Prevention 1.1 Preventing Frost Damage Monitor weather forecasts closely. Before a cold wave, implement frost protection measures such as…

Green manure is a clean organic fertilizer free from heavy metals, antibiotics, hormones, and other residues. It is also an effective measure to reduce the application of chemical fertilizers and improve soil fertility. Intercropping winter green manure in tea gardens is an effective way to maintain and improve soil fertility, utilizing garden resources to nourish the garden and trees. This practice can maximize resource utilization, as green manure covering the soil surface reduces soil erosion by rainwater, absorbs and activates soil nutrients, and prevents nutrient loss. Since there is less competition between winter green manure and tea plants, it has good prospects for wider application in tea gardens. Based on years of experimental research, this article introduces suitable varieties of winter green manure for tea gardens and key points in their cultivation techniques. Suitable Varieties of Winter Green Manure for Tea Gardens and Their Characteristics Tea garden soils are typically acidic and rich in aluminum, so the green manure crops grown must be acid and aluminum tolerant. The main criteria for selecting suitable green manure crops are biomass yield and quality, which are important indicators of a variety's stress tolerance and productivity. Nitrogen content is one of the most critical…

On July 1, our city experienced heavy rainfall, with 24-hour accumulated precipitation exceeding 100 millimeters at 23 monitoring stations, the highest being 172.9 millimeters at Changling station. The intense short-term rainfall led to landslides, collapsed embankments, mud accumulation, and waterlogging in some tea gardens, causing varying degrees of flood damage and related secondary disasters. To minimize losses from tea production due to disasters, Tongcheng Kangzhiyuan Family Farm promptly launched science popularization activities for disaster mitigation in tea gardens. Tea farmers can take the following remedial measures: 1. Drainage and Clearing of Silt and Waterlogging For tea gardens with standing water, drainage ditches should be promptly cleared and dredged, and deep trenches opened to drain the water as soon as possible, avoiding waterlogging that could harm the tea trees due to prolonged water accumulation. At the same time, mud, sand, stones, and other debris that have washed into the tea garden, as well as mud on the branches and leaves of tea plants, should be cleared away promptly. Efforts should be made to reduce soil moisture and environmental humidity as soon as possible to prevent root rot or decay caused by prolonged soaking of tea trees. 2. Restoration of Tea Gardens…

The golden autumn season sees lush tea mountains, as tea gardens enter the autumn harvest period. In the fragrant tea gardens, tea farmers are seizing good weather to pick tea leaves. As autumn gives way to winter, while busy with harvesting, it is also important to focus on winter management of tea gardens to help the tea trees comfortably "survive the winter." Due to the compounded effects of drought and the pandemic, winter management has started earlier this year, with higher technical requirements and more meticulous fertilization management. Local areas should conduct targeted pruning of tea tree canopies, fertilization management, and pest control based on the impact of drought in their respective tea gardens. They should also prepare the necessary materials for winter management. Good tea comes from good cultivation and good management. Winter management of tea gardens is a crucial technical measure for increasing the yield and quality of tea next year, reducing pest and weed damage to tea trees, and enhancing the overall efficiency of tea gardens. To implement scientific tea cultivation, one must understand the growth characteristics of tea trees. The cessation of sprouting in tea trees marks a key timepoint for winter management of tea gardens.…

Affecting a moderate-strength El Niño event and superimposed on the backdrop of global warming, the average global temperature in 2023 may break the record for the warmest year set in 2016. It is expected that most regions in China will have temperatures similar to or higher than the long-term average this winter through next spring, but with active cold air phases. Precipitation in southern regions will be above normal, increasing the risk of compound meteorological disasters. In response to complex climate changes, timely management of tea gardens during winter can help ensure their safe overwintering and lay the groundwork for high-quality and high-yield tea production and increased income for tea farmers in the coming year. So how can we properly manage tea gardens in winter? Follow along as we explore the winter-spring tea garden management guidelines developed by the Department of Plant Industry Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center and the Expert Advisory Group on Tea of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. 1. Disaster Prevention 1.1 Freeze Prevention Closely monitor weather forecasts and implement protective measures such as mulching between rows and covering the canopy…

In order to effectively ensure the safe overwintering of tea plants and the high-quality production of Guyu tea next year, on December 19, Professor Ding Zhaotang, a Taishan Scholar and Chief Expert of the Provincial Tea Industry Technology System, led his team to Feixian County to conduct a survey on winter tea garden management and cold resistance technology trials and demonstrations. Experts from the Tea Research Institute of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Liaocheng University, Shandong Agricultural University, the Municipal Agricultural Technology Center, and the Feixian Fruit and Tea Service Center, as well as technical personnel from tea companies, totaling more than 20 people, participated. The winter management of tea gardens is an important part of annual tea production and is also key to increasing the yield of spring tea and improving the quality of fresh leaves. The Provincial Tea Industry Technology System continues to increase its research efforts on winter tea garden management. Chief Expert Ding Zhaotang's team surveyed the basic situation of winter management, ecological environment, and overwintering of tea plants at the tea gardens of Shandong Chunxi Tea Co., Ltd. They analyzed and discussed factors that might cause frost damage in the tea gardens…

The main goal is to improve the soil condition, increase nutrient availability, and create favorable conditions for tea plant growth, with tasks including soil cultivation, weeding, fertilization, and moisture retention. I. Garden Cultivation Reasonable cultivation is an important measure to improve the soil condition in tea gardens, which can enhance the micro-ecological environment of the soil and provide good conditions for the growth and development of tea plants, improving their vigor. 1. Shallow Cultivation and Weeding The purpose of shallow cultivation in tea gardens is to remove weeds, loosen the surface soil, and improve the micro-ecological environment of the surface soil layer. The depth of shallow cultivation is generally around 5 cm, and it can be combined with top-dressing and soil mounding. It's also essential to clear weeds and brambles around the tea garden promptly. For young tea gardens that are not yet closed row, cultivation should be done whenever weeds appear, requiring six to seven weedings per year. Since the root system of young tea gardens does not penetrate deeply in the planting year, shallow cultivation before the high-temperature season should be done early to avoid drought immediately after cultivation. For mature tea gardens, cultivation is divided into spring,…

There’s a folk saying: “When the hoe digs deep, there’s no lack of gold or silver.” Winter management of tea gardens is crucial for laying the groundwork for a bountiful harvest the following year, ensuring high-quality tea based on the “heaven, earth, human, and seed” foundation. The tea garden should be pruned into a cockscomb shape or uniformly flat, with the choice of heavy pruning or light trimming of side branches depending on the growth status of the garden. The appropriate height of shrub-like tea plants benefits both their growth and the ease of picking fresh leaves. After pruning, the old leaves can be buried through deep cultivation to ferment into organic fertilizer, which loosens the soil and promotes the growth of tea plants. Weeds along the edges or nearby can also be used to cover the garden, providing insulation, water retention, nutrient conservation, and support for microorganisms. Once these weeds decompose, they too become organic fertilizers for the tea garden. Many tea gardens in my hometown are terraced in ridges. For those with low embankments, adding a layer of turf and garden soil can help reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss, maintaining the vigorous vitality of the tea plants.…