Snow accumulation causes severe Frost damage to new shoots and budding leaves of Tea plants, and during the melting process, the snow absorbs environmental heat, potentially exacerbating frost damage to leaves and shoots. After a cold-snap and snow disaster, corresponding rescue measures should be taken to restore tea production as soon as possible. The following are the main remedial measures that can be adopted after this cold-snap and snow disaster:
1. Timely Snow Removal to Reduce Frost Damage
Unlike using winter snow for frost prevention, when a spring cold-snap and snow disaster occurs, especially after new shoots have emerged, it is imperative to remove the snow promptly to reduce the extent of damage to new shoots. For tea gardens with light snowfall, if the ambient temperature reaches above 5°C and conditions permit, misting the canopy can help accelerate the melting of snow and reduce frost damage. For gardens with deep snow on the canopy, particularly those with ice buildup, appropriate measures should only be taken after the ice and snow have melted.
2. Timely Harvest or Light Pruning of Frosted Bud and Leaves to Promote New Shoot Growth
After severe cold-snap and snow disasters, parts of the canopy may suffer frost damage and lose their photosynthetic capacity. It is necessary to promptly harvest or perform light pruning to prevent further expansion of the damaged and dead areas. Harvesting frosted buds and leaves also helps promote the emergence of new shoots. When performing light pruning, care should be taken not to prune too severely. For 1-2 year old tea plants with severe frost damage but low mortality rates, shaping pruning can be used to cut back some of the dead branches and fill in gaps where plants are missing.
3. Timely Drainage and Enhanced Nutrient Management
Tea gardens affected by cold-snap and snow disasters should be drained promptly to loosen the soil and improve its aeration, which benefits root growth and nutrient uptake. Once temperatures rise, especially after pruning frosted tea plants, nutrient management should be enhanced, including foliar fertilization. Since frost damage depletes a significant amount of nutrients from the plant, timely fertilization helps replenish these nutrients, restoring normal growth and promoting new shoots. Additionally, fertilization should include an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
4. Cultivating the Canopy to Minimize Impact on Summer and Autumn Tea Production
After frost damage, tea plants typically experience withering and leaf fall, and new leaves that emerge are significantly smaller in size. Therefore, when harvesting, attention should be paid to leaving leaves to nurture the shoots. Generally, for gardens that have undergone light pruning, one large leaf should be left during Spring Tea harvesting, while summer and autumn teas can be harvested at regular intensity.
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tea Research Institute, Li Xin, Xiao Qiang
