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 Soybean Production
The primary focus should be on maintaining efficient tea garden management without compromising soybean yields. Overplanting soybeans to boost yield should be avoided as it may hinder tea plant growth. Under normal growth conditions for young tea plants, scientific planting techniques should be employed to maximize soybean yields (over 100 kg per mu).
3. Adapt to Local Conditions
Soybean varieties, planting times, and whether to harvest fresh edamame or dried beans should be chosen based on local climate, soil quality, planting habits, and consumer preferences.
Comparison between tea gardens intercropped with soybeans (left) and pure tea gardens (right)
GREEN TEA
Soybean Intercropping in Tea Gardens
Key Technical Points
1. Select Suitable Soybean Varieties and Planting Times
In general, choose soybean varieties that grow vigorously, have tall plants, and strong resistance to diseases and pests. Consider local consumption habits when selecting varieties suitable for oil extraction, fresh consumption, or processing into bean products. The planting time should follow local practices. For example, in Xingren City, Qiannan Prefecture, planting can occur around early April, while in Tongren City, Zunyi City, and Qiannan Prefecture, planting generally takes place in mid-April. In high-altitude areas like Weining and Naying in Bijie City, planting can be delayed until late April to early May.
2. Optimize Plant Density
The density of soybean planting should balance soybean yield and tea garden management needs. Low density will not effectively control weeds or increase soybean yield, while high density can lead to competition for nutrients, affecting tea plant growth.
3. Timely Weeding
About 25 to 40 days after soybean emergence, weeding should be conducted once, taking care to remove weeds completely. This allows soybeans to occupy their ecological niche and suppress weed growth sooner.
4. Manage Soybean Diseases and Pests According to Tea Garden Safety Standards
Pesticides used to manage soybean diseases and pests must be highly effective, low-toxicity, and low-residue, ensuring environmental friendliness and no impact on subsequent crops. Special attention should be paid to pesticides that are approved for use on soybeans but not in tea gardens. Therefore, pesticides allowed in tea gardens should be selected according to tea garden safety standards for the scientific, green, and efficient management of soybean diseases and pests.
Mid-season weed control effect of soybean intercropping in young tea gardens during summer (2019, Pingpo Village, Huaqiao Town, Shiqian County)
Mid-season weed control effect of soybean intercropping in young tea gardens during summer (2020, Pingwang Village, Ganxi Township, Shiqian County)
Late-season weed control effect of soybean intercropping in young tea gardens during summer (2021, Datun Village, Longtang Town, Shiqian County)
Soybean Intercropping in Tea Gardens
Technical Plan
First Year:
1. Selection of Soybean Varieties for Intercropping
Choose AnDou series (AnDou 5, 8, 9, 10) and QianDou series (QianDou 7, 8, 9, 10) soybean varieties, which are locally bred in Guizhou.
2. Seed Preparation
Select seeds before sowing, removing diseased, insect-damaged, and shriveled seeds. Sun-dry the seeds for 1 to 2 days.
3. Planting Time
Sow when temperatures remain consistently above 12°C for 10 days. In mountainous areas of Guizhou, this is usually around mid-April, following local soybean planting schedules.
4. Preparation for Intercropping
Before intercropping, scatter 5 to 8 kg of fertilizer. Choose phosphorus-potassium fertilizers or compound fertilizers with low nitrogen content, emphasizing phosphorus and applying potassium appropriately. Based on the situation, supplement with trace elements, and recommend using specialized tea fertilizers. After scattering the fertilizer, till the soil in the tea garden (to a depth of 20 cm) to refine the soil and remove weeds, which also helps mix the fertilizer and incorporate it into the soil.
5. Planting Method
Strip sowing or hill sowing can be used. Hill sowing is recommended, and mechanical sowing can be used in flat areas. When intercropping, maintain a certain distance from the tea plants to avoid damage during work. Start intercropping 10 cm away from the tea plants. For hill sowing, sow 2 to 3 soybean seeds per hill with 20 cm between hills and 30 cm between rows, then cover with soil. For strip sowing, open a trench about 10 cm wide and 5 cm deep manually or mechanically, ensuring straight and uniform lines. Sow 2 to 3 soybean seeds every 20 cm, then cover with soil.
6. Field Management
About 10 to 20 days after soybean emergence, observe the growth of the soybeans. If growth is weak and leaves appear yellow, apply additional phosphorus fertilizer or low-nitrogen compound fertilizer (2 to 4 kg per mu). Depending on weed growth, manually remove weeds once before the soybeans reach a height of 10 to 15 cm to prevent competition for nutrients and inhibit soybean growth. Soybeans do not tolerate waterlogging, so drainage ditches should be dug around the field after sowing. After heavy rainfall, ensure there is no standing Water in the soybean field, and promptly dig ditches to drain water in low-lying areas to prevent waterlogging.
7. Disease and Pest Management
Soybeans typically experience few diseases and pests, and pest control is generally unnecessary. However, monitor for diseases such as anthracnose, viral diseases, and rust, as well as pests like oblique striped leafrollers, aphids, Sitona weevils, and subterranean pests.
8. Harvesting
The optimal time for harvesting soybeans