Introduction to the Characteristics and Traits of the Tea Cultivar Xiuhong

Cultivar Approval Number: Guoshen Tea 2002003

Crop Type: Tea Plant

Cultivar Name: Xiuhong

Breeding Institution: Tea Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Cultivar Source: Selected from a single plant among the natural hybrid progeny of Yinghong 1

Provincial Approval Status: Approved by the Guangdong Provincial Crop Cultivar Approval Committee in 1994

Characteristics and Traits: Belongs to the small tree type, large-leaf category, early-sprouting cultivar; the plant is tall, with a semi-spreading posture and dense branching. Leaves are elliptical, dark green in color, with a raised leaf surface and soft leaf texture. Sprouting is fairly dense, with the one-bud-three-leaves stage occurring from late March to early April. The buds and leaves are yellow-green, with medium pubescence, and the weight of 100 one-bud-three-leaves shoots is 120.0 g. The dry sample of one-bud-two-leaves spring tea contains 2.3% amino acids, 33.6% tea polyphenols, and 4.4% caffeine. Suitable for making black tea, with quality comparable to Qianmei 419. Cold resistance is medium to weak.

Yield Performance: In comparative trials from 1985 to 1992, the 8-year average fresh leaf yield per mu was 844.2 kg, 20.4% higher than Yunnan Large-leaf Tea. During the national regional trials from 1997 to 2001, it was 11.89-15.24% higher than Fuding Dabaicha, but 10.32-29.30% lower than the black tea control cultivar Qianmei 419.

Key Cultivation Techniques: Double-row strip planting is suitable, with more than 3000 plants per mu. During dry seasons, pay attention to mite control.

National Cultivar Approval Committee Approval Opinion: Upon review, it meets the national cultivar approval standards and has passed approval. Suitable for planting in large-leaf black tea regions such as Guangdong, southern Yunnan, Hainan, and southern Guangxi.