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How to defend tea plants against heat damage? A detailed explanation of practical technical measures

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Tea plant heat damage refers to the meteorological disaster that, under long-term high-temperature and dry climate conditions, causes tea yield reduction, stunted tea plant growth, or plant death. The tea plant originated in the subtropics and is a perennial evergreen plant, with the habit of preferring warmth and humidity, tolerating shade, and fearing drought. When there is prolonged high temperature and severe drought, scorching sun, low rainfall, and relative air humidity below 50%, leaf transpiration intensifies, and the water absorbed by the root system cannot compensate for the consumption of the aboveground parts, thus causing the tea plant to wither, drop leaves, and even die. To prevent tea plant heat damage, in addition to selecting heat-resistant tea

Tea plant heat damage refers to the meteorological disaster that, under long-term high-temperature and dry climate conditions, causes tea yield reduction, stunted tea plant growth, or plant death. The tea plant originated in the subtropics and is a perennial evergreen plant, with the habit of preferring warmth and humidity, tolerating shade, and fearing drought. When there is prolonged high temperature and severe drought, scorching sun, low rainfall, and relative air humidity below 50%, leaf transpiration intensifies, and the water absorbed by the root system cannot compensate for the consumption of the aboveground parts, thus causing the tea plant to wither, drop leaves, and even die. To prevent tea plant heat damage, in addition to selecting heat-resistant tea varieties, suitable three-dimensional growing conditions, and closely monitoring local weather forecasts, the main measure is to manage the tea garden well in summer and improve the tea plant's ability to resist heat and drought.

I. Tea garden mulching. Tea garden mulching mostly uses the form of spreading grass between rows. Spreading grass between rows is economical and practical, and various weeds, leaves, straw, etc. can all be used. According to a report by the Fujian Institute of Tea Research, in grass-mulched tea gardens, the annual soil moisture content of the 0-50 cm soil layer was more than 1% higher than that of unmulched tea gardens, and during the summer drought period it was 4% higher. Spreading grass between tea garden rows should be done before the disaster occurs, otherwise the effect will be affected. Generally, spreading grass in late June to early July gives a better effect. The amount of grass spread is preferably 1500 kg/mu, with a thickness of about 10 cm.

II. Tea garden irrigation. For tea gardens with a low groundwater level and dry soil, irrigation can be carried out at the appropriate time. According to data reports, irrigating tea gardens during the dry season can reduce the soil surface temperature by 6-7°C, thereby alleviating the situation in the dog days of summer in which tea plants are baked above and scorched below. Irrigation during the dog days of summer is best carried out at night (generally after the temperature drops below 30°C), and finished before 8 o'clock in the morning.

III. Tea garden intercropping. Tea garden intercropping has a relatively ideal effect on young tea gardens. Intercropping black-eyed cowpea, mung bean, spreading peanut, etc. in 1-2 year old young tea gardens can not only replace tea garden grass mulching, increase soil organic matter, and improve soil structure, but also improve the summer microclimate of the tea garden, prevent direct sunlight, and reduce tea plant transpiration and soil moisture evaporation. Thus it plays a role in preventing heat, resisting drought, and protecting seedlings. According to a survey, in young tea gardens intercropped with green manure, the heat damage rate of tea plants during the dog days of summer was reduced by 20-40% compared with those without intercropping.

IV. Fertilization management. As far as tea garden management is concerned, there are many measures to improve the tea plant's ability to resist heat and drought. In addition to the above measures, fertilization is an important link. When the tea plant has sufficient nutrition, its growth is vigorous, and its stress resistance is correspondingly enhanced. From surveys of tea plant heat damage, it was found that the tea gardens that suffered more severe damage were often those where base fertilizer had not been applied or insufficient fertilizer had been applied in the previous winter. Therefore, in winter, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied to the tea garden, and appropriate topdressing should be applied after the spring tea, so as to improve the tea plant's heat resistance.

V. Establish tea-forest (fruit) composite ecological tea gardens. From an ecological perspective, tea-forest (fruit) composite ecological tea gardens can effectively improve the microclimate of the tea garden, create a good composite ecological environment for tea plant growth, help tea plants prevent heat and resist drought, and improve the quality of tea.

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