Research on effects of seasonal pruning and irrigation on winter-spring tea production of LDP1 variety in Thai Nguyen province

Abstract

Demand for tea products in the winter-spring crop, especially in the time of Tet Nguyen Dan, is huge; however, winter-spring tea yeild is low and can not meet the needs of the market. To solve this problem, some areas with convenient irrigation have turned into areas for winter-spring tea production in recent years. In addition to tea watering, in order to effectively produce winter-spring tea, it is required to study other technical measures, of which seasonal pruning is a very important indicator. Research results show that pruning in different seasons does not affect stem growth, but it makes a great impact on the growth of tea buds. Pruning season on April 15 shortened the duration from the pruning day to the day when the sprouts appear by 26 days and to the harvest day of the first batch by 32 days compared to the control (pruning on December 15) and extended the harvest time of tea leaves by 42 days compared to the control. Pruning season on April 15 also increased tea yeild in winter-spring crop by 29.08% of the total annual tea yeild, thereby increased economic efficiency by 32% compared to the control.