Study on the Extension of Tea Leaf Plucking Period (Part 1)

On the Extension of Plucking Period by the Leaf Plucking and Espalier Training

Abstract

1. The black tea variety "Hatsumomiji" was used for the experiment, and the time of espalier training or the leaf plucking was delayed 4 or 8 days for attempting to extend the next plucking period. The growth of shoot and the yield of leaves were examined at the maturity of leaves of 10-70% Debi-rakido.
2. When the espalier training before the sprouting of the first crop was tried, the optimum plucking period of the first crop (30% Debirakido) was not extended. But the optimum plucking period of the succeeding crops was prolonged 2-7 days and 2-4 days at the second and the third plucking season respectively.
3. The leaf plucking period at 15-40% Debirakido ranged over 3.2, 10.2 and 7.2 days at the first, the second and the third plucking season respectively.
From the result of these experiments, if, at the first crop, the leaf plucking or espalier training is delayed, the plucking period of the succeeding crops will be prolonged and by introducing this treatment into some parts of the tea field the total plucking period through a year will be extended.