According to forecasts from our city's meteorological station, from 14:00 on July 10 to 08:00 on July 11, the average precipitation in our city was 52.6 millimeters, with a maximum of 179.2 millimeters. Four towns and streets experienced heavy rainstorms (100–250 millimeters), 24 towns and streets experienced storms (50–100 millimeters), and 13 towns and streets experienced heavy rain (25–50 millimeters). Other towns and streets experienced moderate rain (10–25 millimeters). To effectively mitigate the impact of disastrous weather on Tea gardens and tea production and stabilize summer and Autumn Tea production, the following technical guidance is proposed.
I. Strengthen Patrols and Preventive Measures in Tea Gardens
The flood season has arrived, and strong winds and heavy rains may occur at any time. We should closely monitor weather forecasts. Before heavy rains, strengthen patrols of tea gardens and reinforce greenhouses and other production facilities. Check and dredge drainage ditches in advance; dig drainage trenches where necessary, especially in low-lying or high groundwater areas, where trenches should be at least one meter deep. Move tea, production materials, and equipment from low-lying areas as a precaution against heavy rains.
II. Promptly Drain Flooded Tea Gardens
After heavy rains, organize labor to drain water from flooded mature tea gardens as soon as possible. For flat tea gardens, promptly dig encircling ditches around the garden and middle ditches or box ditches to drain water, lowering the groundwater level below one meter to reduce soil and environmental humidity. This will prevent the rotting of roots due to prolonged soaking. For tea tree breeding bases and young tea gardens with weaker flood resistance, dig trenches immediately to drain water. Where conditions permit, use water pumps to speed up drainage and minimize damage caused by waterlogging and flooding.
III. Urgently Repair Damaged Tea Gardens
Repair damaged roads, ditches, pump stations, and other infrastructure in tea gardens to facilitate post-disaster recovery. For affected tea tree breeding bases, focus on quickly repairing irrigation facilities, damaged greenhouses, and shading structures. For mountain and hillside tea gardens, promptly repair roads, ditches, and terraces, ensuring water and road connectivity to prevent secondary disasters. For collapsed tea gardens, swiftly organize restoration and reconstruction to quickly return them to their original state.
IV. Post-Disaster Management of Tea Gardens
1. Strengthen Tree Management: For tea gardens inundated by floods, clear Mud and debris from the canopy as soon as possible to keep it clean and hygienic. For tea gardens covered with sand, remove accumulated soil and sand as soon as possible. For young tea gardens, prop up fallen tea trees and cover roots with soil. For tea trees that have been submerged for extended periods and show severe Root damage and obvious wilting of leaves, after draining water and clearing ditches, use Pruning machines for heavy pruning or deep pruning when the surface soil is dry. This reduces water evaporation and nutrient consumption from branches and leaves, preventing the death of entire plants. For tea trees with exposed or damaged roots, promptly cover with soil and prune branches dragging in mud or broken branches. For tea gardens with lighter damage, timely pruning should be conducted to cultivate productive canopies and promote uniform sprouting of new buds.
2. Strengthen Soil Fertilization Management: After tea gardens are waterlogged, nutrients are lost, and soil compaction occurs easily. Nutrients should be replenished and soil loosened promptly. First, spray amino acid foliar fertilizers to promote the sprouting of new leaves and quickly restore tree vigor. Second, apply composted organic fertilizers and compound fertilizers in trenches about 15 centimeters deep, covering the fertilizers with soil after application to promote the growth of new roots in tea trees.
3. Strengthen Pest and Weed Control: First, strengthen pest control. In the tea region of Rizhao, the small green leafhopper begins to cause harm in tea gardens in mid-to-late July. Timely repair and install green pest control facilities such as insect traps and pheromone lures. When the small green leafhopper reaches the threshold for treatment, use botanical pesticides like sophoroside for control. Second, prevent tea tree diseases. For severely waterlogged tea gardens, moderate pruning and spraying with 25% pyraclostrobin emulsifiable concentrate diluted 1,500-2,000 times or 3% polyoxin D wettable powder solution can reduce the incidence of tea tree diseases. Third, control weeds. For young tea gardens, crop straw, mountainous grass, green manure, etc., can be used for inter-row mulching with a thickness of about 10 centimeters to suppress weed growth.
Submitted by: Agricultural Technology Center of the City's Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs