Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 215-224 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 220 Figure 3 The manual picking of tea in mountainous areas of Zhejiang is not only inefficient, but also of inconsistent quality 6 Case Study: High-Yield Cultivation Practices for Longjing Tea in Zhejiang Province 6.1 Case selection and background Zhejiang Province, particularly the region around Hangzhou, is renowned for its production of Longjing tea, one of the most famous and premium green teas in China. The selection of this region for a case study on high-yield cultivation practices is based on its historical and contemporary success in tea production. The Tea Research Institute in Hangzhou has conducted extensive research and trials to optimize tea yields, making it an ideal location to study advanced agronomic practices. Additionally, the region's unique climatic conditions and soil properties contribute to the high quality and yield of Longjing tea, further justifying its selection for this case study (Lou et al., 2015). The rationale for focusing on Zhejiang Province also includes the significant economic impact of tea cultivation in the area. The local government has implemented various measures to promote the tea industry, which has resulted in increased agricultural income and improved livelihoods for farmers. Moreover, the region's long history of tea cultivation provides a rich context for understanding the evolution of agronomic practices and their ecological implications. 6.2 Agronomic and ecological insights The high-yield cultivation of Longjing tea in Zhejiang Province involves several specific agronomic practices. One of the key strategies is the use of high planting densities, which has been shown to significantly increase tea yields. A ten-year trial conducted by the Tea Research Institute demonstrated that high-density planting of the Longjing 43 variety resulted in yields more than ten times greater than the provincial average. This practice, combined with the use of vegetatively-propagated clonal varieties, ensures consistent and high-quality tea production. Ecologically, the region faces challenges related to soil nutrient management and pesticide use. Excessive application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to environmental concerns, including soil acidification and nutrient runoff (Xie et al., 2018). To address these issues, pilot studies have explored the dual reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, replacing them with organic alternatives. These studies have shown that proper management with organic fertilizer replacement can mitigate soil acidification, increase soil organic matter, and improve tea yield and quality (Xie et al., 2018). Additionally, the use of high-spatiotemporal-resolution imagery has been employed to map tea plantations accurately, helping to monitor and manage ecological impacts such as soil erosion (Figure 4) (Li et al., 2019).
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