Abstract
Because the trading price of low-grade tea has been sluggish, tea cultivation techniques must be aimed to increase the yield and quality primarily of the first crop, which is material of high-grade tea. In this study, the influences of the harvesting method of the second crop on the first crop in the next year were investigated in a tea field where a third crop was not harvesting method of the second crop on the first crop in the next year were investigated in a tea field where a third crop was not harvested. The early harvest of the second crop of tea decreased the number of new shoots in the first crop of the next year. Plucking at a higher position for the second crop induced a decrease in the number of new shoots and delay of new shoot growth in the first crop of the next year. So, early harvesting and plucking at a higher position for the second crop caused a decrease in the yield of the first crop in the next year. A combination of early harvesting and plucking at a higher position induced an increase in sucker shoots and flower buds in the autumn season. In tea fields where a third crop was not harvested, a lower number of new shoots would be one of the main reasons resulting in lower yield of the first crop in the next year. Thus, a late harvest and plucking at a lower position for the second crop should be necessary to ensure a sufficient number of new shoots in the first crop of the next year. A high number of new shoots will induce a high yield for the first crop.
