The integrated approach to green precision prevention and control of major Tea pests involves using core technologies such as narrow-band LED insect traps, yellow-red dual-color insect-attracting boards, and efficient sex Pheromone lures to maintain target pest populations at a low level through long-term and efficient trapping. This is complemented by biological preventive measures, such as spraying inchworm virus preparations and releasing predatory mites, along with good agricultural practices to control pest populations. Finally, highly efficient, low water-soluble chemical Pesticides are used as emergency measures in the event of large-scale pest outbreaks.
In recent years, tea plant protection scientists have conducted extensive research on pest control techniques, developing effective green precision prevention and control technologies for tea pests. Below, we will use three of the most important pests in Chinese tea gardens—the gray inchworm, the tea inchworm, and the tea tiny green leafhopper—as examples.
Integrated Approach to Green Precision Prevention and Control of Major Tea Pests
I. Green Precision Prevention and Control Technology Model for Gray Inchworm and Tea Inchworm
Note: “√” indicates the selected control technique at the corresponding time. The same applies below.
1. Core Key Technologies
(1) Sex Pheromone Lures. Based on the severity of the previous year, 30-60 lures are evenly distributed per hectare before the emergence of overwintering adults. Each lure contains one sex pheromone core and is placed 20 cm above the canopy. To ensure efficiency, sticky boards should be replaced regularly, and the pheromone cores should be changed every three months. The best results are achieved when the technique is used over a large area continuously.
(2) Narrow-band LED Insect Traps. One narrow-band LED Insect trap is placed per hectare. The actual density may vary based on terrain and topography. The bottom of the lamp is positioned 40-60 cm above the canopy. The lamps are turned on in late March and off in November, operating automatically for three hours after sunset each day. Best results are achieved when used over a large, contiguous area.
(3) Virus Preparations. In April-May, during the first and second instar stages of the second generation of inchworms, spray 300-400 times diluted inchworm virus preparation on tender leaves within 1 meter of the infestation center. It can be applied all day on cloudy days and after 17:00 on sunny days.
2. Emergency Control Techniques
July to September is the outbreak period for gray inchworms and tea inchworms. Monitor field pest populations closely. When pest numbers reach the control threshold (4,500 larvae per 667 square meters or 10 larvae per meter of row), spray efficient and safe chemical pesticides such as indoxacarb, chlorfenapyr, abamectin, or bifenthrin. Organic tea gardens can use biopesticides like short-chain bacillus or Bacillus thuringiensis. Pay attention to applying pesticides when the insects are young, alternating between pesticides with different modes of action, and following the recommended safety intervals for harvesting.
II. Green Precision Prevention and Control Technology Model for Tea Tiny Green Leafhopper
Green Precision Prevention and Control Model for the Tea Tiny Green Leafhopper (Using Zhejiang Province as an Example)
1. Core Key Technologies
Narrow-band LED Insect Traps: The usage parameters are the same as those for the gray inchworm and tea inchworm green precision prevention and control technology model. Yellow-red Dual-color Insect-attracting Boards: After spring tea pruning, 375 insect-attracting boards are evenly distributed per hectare. The boards face parallel to the rows of tea plants, with the lower edge located 20 cm above the plants. They remain in place for 2-3 weeks. After removal, handle the boards properly to avoid contaminating the tea garden environment.
2. Emergency Control Techniques
In June-July and September-October, the peak periods for the tea tiny green leafhopper, monitor field pest populations closely. When pest numbers reach the control threshold (six nymphs per 100 leaves for summer tea or 12 nymphs per 100 leaves for Autumn Tea), spray efficient and low water-soluble chemical pesticides such as indoxacarb, chlorfenapyr, triflumezopyrim, or flonicamid. Organic tea gardens can use botanical pesticides like natural pyrethrins, saponins, or azadirachtin either alone or in combination. Pay attention to alternating between pesticides with different modes of action and following the recommended safety intervals for harvesting.
III. Application of the Green Precision Prevention and Control Technology Model for Tea Garden Pests
Demonstration and promotion over the past five years show that the green precision prevention and control technology model for gray inchworms and tea inchworms is relatively efficient. In areas with light to moderate infestations, zero chemical pesticide use can be achieved. The green precision prevention and control technology model for the tea tiny green leafhopper can reduce the use of chemical pesticides by one application during peak periods. Of course, the models mentioned above are designed around specific target pests. For a comprehensive annual green precision prevention and control technology model for a particular region, adjustments and modifications need to be made based on local pest species, severity, tea production habits, and quality requirements.
Major tea-producing provinces in China, such as Zhejiang, Hunan, and Fujian, have established their own green precision prevention and control technology models for tea pests and conducted large-scale demonstrations and promotions. By 2022, the technology had been demonstrated and promoted across millions of hectares, reducing the average use of chemical pesticides by 70% in demonstration areas, increasing tea yields slightly, improving the quality and safety of tea, and increasing farmers' income.
IV. Prospects for the Development of Green Precision Prevention and Control Technologies for Tea Pest Management
Innovative development of efficient and precise green prevention and control technologies is key to the future of green pest management in tea. Moreover, to address the shortage of rural labor and meet social development needs, future green prevention and control technologies for tea gardens should gradually move towards simplification and intelligence.
In terms of pest control technologies, there is currently a lack of efficient and precise green prevention and control technologies for the primary tea pest, the tea tiny green leafhopper, and for pests like thrips whose incidence is becoming increasingly severe. Therefore, based on a deep understanding of the biology and ecology of these pests, cross-disciplinary integration should be used to develop innovative green prevention and control technologies from aspects such as chemical ecology, novel physical control methods, and the efficient utilization of biocontrol resources.
Regarding diseases, there is currently no effective chemical pesticide alternative for the control of anthracnose, the most widespread disease affecting tea plants in China. For diseases such as tea blister blight, white spot, and red spot, which are common in the southwestern tea regions and mountainous tea gardens during the spring tea season, there is a lack of efficient and safe chemical control agents. Future research should focus on breeding disease-resistant varieties, developing and screening efficient biopesticides, and the effective application of plant elicitors.
For weed control, future research should strengthen the classification of weed hazards and abandon the concept of “no weeds,” changing weed eradication to weed control. For difficult-to-control weeds, research and development should focus on simplified weed control machines and natural herbicides. At the same time, intercropping weed control techniques should be improved, selecting suitable intercropping grass species for various tea regions and studying appropriate planting patterns.