Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 215-224 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 219 Figure 2 Agroforestry practices at the tea plantation in Xialiang Village, Hengxi Town, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province 5 Innovations in Tea Cultivation Technology 5.1 Precision agriculture and digital tools Precision agriculture (PA) has emerged as a transformative approach in tea cultivation, leveraging modern information and communication technologies to enhance farm management. PA tools enable site-specific management of tea plantations, optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental impacts. For instance, the use of digital tools for monitoring soil health, weather forecasting, and yield estimation has shown significant promise in improving tea production efficiency. A systematic review of state-of-the-art technologies in PA highlights the benefits of these innovations, including reduced resource wastage and pollution, which contribute to sustainable agricultural practices (Bhakta et al., 2019). By integrating sensors and data analytics, tea farmers can make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, thereby enhancing both yield and quality. Moreover, the application of PA in tea cultivation can address specific challenges such as soil health degradation and nutrient management. Studies have demonstrated that agroecological management practices, which are often supported by PA tools, can significantly improve soil organic matter and pH levels, leading to better tea yields and quality (Le et al., 2023). Additionally, the dual reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, facilitated by precise monitoring and application, has been shown to mitigate nutrient loss and environmental hazards while maintaining tea yield and quality (Xie et al., 2018). These advancements underscore the potential of PA and digital tools in revolutionizing tea cultivation by promoting ecological sustainability and economic efficiency. 5.2 Mechanization and automation in tea harvesting The mechanization and automation of tea leaf harvesting have significantly impacted the production efficiency and labor productivity of tea plantations. Traditional manual harvesting methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming, often resulting in inconsistent yield and quality (Figure 3). However, recent advancements in tea harvesting technology have introduced automated systems that can perform precise and efficient plucking, thereby enhancing overall productivity (Rutatina and Corley, 2018). For example, the use of mechanical harvesters has been shown to optimize the plucking intervals and improve yield consistency across different tea-growing regions. These technologies not only reduce the dependency on manual labor but also ensure that the tea leaves are harvested at the optimal time for quality and flavor. The impact of mechanization on labor efficiency is particularly noteworthy in regions where labor shortages are a significant concern. Automated harvesting systems can alleviate the burden on the workforce, allowing for more efficient allocation of labor resources to other critical tasks in tea production. Furthermore, the integration of mechanization with precision agriculture tools can enhance the overall management of tea plantations. For instance, the combination of automated harvesters with soil and weather monitoring systems can provide real-time data to optimize harvesting schedules and improve yield outcomes (Bhakta et al., 2019). This synergy between mechanization and digital tools represents a significant leap forward in modernizing tea cultivation practices, ensuring higher productivity and sustainability.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==