2020 Volume 2020 Issue 129 Pages 3-10
Bark split frost injury caused by subfreezing temperatures in early winter results in enormous damage to young tea plants. To determine the specific conditions that lead to this, we investigated the effects of subfreezing temperatures and soil moisture on the occurrence of bark split through laboratory experiments and field observations. In artificial subfreezing temperature treatments, bark splits occurred more often when the temperature was lower, the number of treatments was greater, and the soil moisture content was higher. Winter temperatures and soil moisture environment of a tea field that had serious bark split frost injury were consistent with the laboratory results. These results show that the degree and frequency of subfreezing temperature and high soil moisture content are key factors in predicting bark split frost injury in tea plants.
