Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 262-272 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 269 5.2 Analysis of climate adaptability in different tea varieties Different tea tree varieties exhibit varied adaptability to climate conditions, with climate fluctuations leading to performance differences across varieties. For example, the clonal cultivar Zhongcha 108 buds early and has strong resilience, making it relatively adaptable; however, warmer autumn and winter temperatures prolong its budding period, potentially leading to excessive nutrient consumption and impacting the next year’s tea quality. The Jiukeng variety has a deep root system, enabling it to adapt to changes in deeper soil layers and withstand cold temperatures. During the cold snap of 2022, both Baiye No.1 and the Jiukeng variety showed good frost resistance, with no damage, while Zhonghuang No.2 thrived in warmer conditions, demonstrating excellent adaptability to high temperatures. These differences suggest that in mountainous tea gardens with complex climates, tea tree varieties should be selected and planted based on their adaptability to maximize each variety's potential. By adjusting planting density and management methods to suit each variety’s adaptability, tea gardens can achieve high-quality, high-yield production under various climate conditions. A comprehensive understanding of tea variety adaptability allows for more scientifically informed responses to climate challenges, stabilizing tea yield and quality. 5.3 Management strategies for extreme climate conditions In response to extreme climate events, such as drought and late spring frost, tea gardens must adopt appropriate management strategies to ensure the growth of tea plants and the quality of spring tea. Late spring frost poses a significant risk of frost damage to tea buds and leaves. To mitigate its impact, tea gardens should implement protective measures, such as planting tall vegetation between rows or setting up wind barriers to enhance the thermal insulation of the tea garden (Wang et al., 2021). In 2022, while many tea regions experienced frost damage from a cold snap, Dongping High Mountain Tea Garden avoided such damage through ecological protection and effective management, with Baiye No.1 showing no signs of cold stress, thus supporting stable spring tea quality. In drought conditions, effective water management is essential to maintain tea tree hydration and minimize the negative impact on root health and growth. The drought of 2023’s autumn and winter affected spring 2024 tea yield, indicating that, in drought years, tea gardens should increase irrigation frequency or apply ground cover to reduce evaporation and retain soil moisture. Furthermore, fertilization strategies during autumn and winter should be adjusted to replenish nutrients lost due to extreme conditions. These adaptive strategies not only mitigate the impact of extreme weather but also support sustainable tea production under challenging conditions. 6 Discussion 6.1 Prospects for the application of autumn and winter management techniques in different regions Autumn and winter tea garden management techniques have proven effective in improving tea tree health, and boosting both yield and quality of spring tea, providing a valuable model for tea cultivation in various regions. The experience of Dongping High Mountain Tea Garden demonstrates that proper fertilization, pruning, and garden sealing can maintain stable tea growth even under fluctuating climate conditions, laying a solid foundation for spring tea production. However, due to differences in climate, soil, and ecological conditions across tea regions, these techniques require regional adaptation. For instance, in warm, humid southern tea-growing regions where pests and diseases are more prevalent in autumn and winter, it is essential to use low-toxicity, effective fungicides during garden sealing to reduce disease threats (Zeng et al., 2018). Conversely, in high-altitude, colder regions, tea trees enter dormancy earlier, so pruning and fertilization should be scheduled earlier to ensure adequate nutrient accumulation. These examples suggest that autumn and winter management techniques have broad adaptability across regions but must be optimized to local conditions for effective implementation. The promotion of autumn and winter management practices can also stabilize tea yield and quality, especially amid increasingly unstable climate patterns. By adopting the Dongping Tea Garden model, tea gardens nationwide can apply scientific measures to cope with extreme climate events, such as soil and water conservation, drainage improvement, and ecological protection. These strategies enhance tea tree resilience and mitigate the adverse
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