Detailed Explanation of Management Methods and Technical Points for Oil Tea Trees
Oil tea is a very precious oil crop in China. Its seeds have an oil content of over 30%, and they can also be used for food and medicine, giving it a very wide range of uses. In addition, the vitamin E content in camellia oil is far higher than that in olive oil, making it arguably one of the highest-quality oils in China. Now, its planting area in China is also growing larger and larger, so how should oil tea be managed after planting? Below, the editor brings you the management methods for oil tea planting. Let's take a look!
1. Loosening Soil and Weeding
In the year of planting, one round of intertillage and weeding should be done, and afterward, at least two rounds of intertillage are needed each year during later cultivation. The first is after mid-May, and then the second round of intertillage and weeding is carried out in early September. There will be some differences depending on the planting region and weather. For example, in summer, when the ground temperature is relatively high, intertillage and weeding should not be carried out. And even if it is done, only shallow hoeing can be carried out, and the intertillage depth must not exceed 5 cm. Then, as the tree age increases, appropriately deepen the depth, and control the intertillage depth according to the nature of the soil. Clay soil should be hoed shallowly, while sandy soil should be deeply tilled.
2. Fertilization Management
When the base fertilizer is sufficient, no additional fertilization is needed in the year of planting, and then from the second year onward, fertilize twice each year. Control the types of fertilizer well, and appropriately adjust the fertilizer according to seasonal changes and temperature. For example, in winter, apply quick-acting fertilizer to improve the cold resistance of the tree body and promote the oil tea trees' overwintering. In spring, apply urea as a top dressing. According to the number of oil tea trees, the application amount per plant must not exceed 25 g, following the principle of applying multiple times in small amounts. Decide the fertilization method according to your own fertilization habits. Common methods include broadcasting and trench application. No matter which fertilization method is used, be careful not to damage the roots of the oil tea trees, so as to prevent affecting growth.
3. Shaping and Pruning
The pruning work for oil tea trees should begin from the young tree stage. The shaping and pruning work for young trees must first focus on developing the trunk. In the first two years after afforestation, all spring shoots sprouted from the terminal buds should be retained. Promote the oil tea trees to form a main trunk, then shape the oil tea trees, retaining about 3 main branches at a position of about 55 cm on the main trunk. The specific number of main branches is determined by the size of the tree body, etc. Then cut off branches that are too long, too dense, overlapping, or crossing. Improve the air permeability of the pruned oil tea trees, enhance ventilation and light penetration, promote the photosynthetic capacity of the oil tea trees, increase yield, and ensure quality.
4. Appropriate Intercropping
During the young tree stage of oil tea trees, the planting spacing is relatively large. In order not to waste land resources, we can also appropriately intercrop during the young tree stage. The intercrop crops should be selected from crops with a short growth period and low water and fertilizer requirements, etc., and it must be ensured that the intercrop crops will not compete with the oil tea trees for light, water, or nutrients, etc. It must also be ensured that at least 1 sq m of growth space is left for the oil tea trees. Relatively suitable intercrop crops include peanuts, mung beans, etc. After maturity, they can be directly turned into the soil as green manure, and if the yield is good, they can also be sold on the market. This is not only beneficial to the growth of oil tea, improves land utilization, but also allows short-term cost recovery and improves economic benefits.
When intercropping, be careful not to plant tall-stemmed or vine crops, etc., otherwise it will affect the growth of the oil tea trees and lead to the opposite effect. Then, it is necessary to do a good job in pest and disease prevention and control, strengthen management, reduce pathogens and insect eggs, lower the incidence rate, enhance the resistance of the oil tea trees, improve yield and quality, and expand your own planting benefits. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you all for reading and supporting.