How to Fertilize Tea Plants Reasonably? Detailed Methods and Techniques

Fertilizer is the food for tea plant growth and the material basis for increasing tea yield and improving quality. Therefore, fertilization plays an important role in the growth of tea plants as well as the yield and quality of tea. Good fertilization techniques can maximize the yield-increasing effect of fertilization, maintain and improve the excellent quality of tea, maintain the vigorous growth momentum of tea, and at the same time help restore and improve soil fertility. However, improper fertilization will not only fail to increase tea yield, but also cause a serious decline in tea quality, and may even adversely affect the growth of tea plants. Therefore, tea garden fertilization requires adapting measures to local conditions, using appropriate fertilizer types and fertilization methods, in order to fully exert fertilizer efficiency and achieve the purpose of fertilization.

Tea fertilization should comprehensively consider factors such as variety characteristics, soil conditions, yield level, and cultivation methods. In addition, organic fertilizer should be the main type, used in combination with inorganic fertilizer.

Organic fertilizer is a comprehensive fertilizer, rich in organic matter, with slow and lasting fertilizer effect. It has a good impact on tea plant growth and on improving tea yield and quality, and can improve the soil. Therefore, fertilization must be mainly based on organic fertilizer. Commonly used traditional organic fertilizers for tea include human and animal manure, barnyard manure, cake fertilizer, compost, green manure, and so on. At present, organic fertilizers specially used for tea have been launched on the market, with advantages such as being more targeted, more efficient, and easier to apply than traditional organic fertilizers. Inorganic fertilizer is a quick-acting fertilizer with fast fertilizer effect. In the vigorous seasons of tea plant growth and picking, large amounts of nutrients are consumed, and deficiencies in certain elements often occur. They must be supplemented in time to meet the normal needs of tea plant growth. Therefore, applying inorganic quick-acting fertilizer in combination is necessary. Among the traditional inorganic fertilizers commonly used for tea, nitrogen fertilizers include ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium bicarbonate, and urea; phosphorus fertilizers include superphosphate, phosphate rock powder, and bone meal; potassium fertilizers include potassium sulfate and potassium chloride. At present, the main application is compound fertilizer specially used for tea.

The specific measures and amounts are: 1. Base fertilizer (mid-to-late October to the end of November): nitrogen fertilizer 40%, phosphorus fertilizer 50%, potassium fertilizer 40%; 2. First topdressing (end of May): nitrogen fertilizer 30%, phosphorus fertilizer 25%, potassium fertilizer 30%; 3. Second topdressing (end of July): nitrogen fertilizer 30%, phosphorus fertilizer 25%, potassium fertilizer 30%.