The saying goes, “In spring lies the foundation of the whole year,” and spring Tea production is the most critical period for our city's tea industry, vital for increasing industrial efficiency and farmers' incomes. Currently, Spring Tea production has commenced and is entering its peak season. To effectively mitigate disaster losses and scientifically organize spring tea production, the Chongqing General Station for Agricultural Technology Extension, in collaboration with the Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Tea Research Institute and the Chongqing Tea Industry Technology System Innovation Team, have formulated the Technical Guidelines for Spring Tea Production in Chongqing Municipality in 2024. Local areas are requested to refine technical measures based on actual production conditions, strengthen technical guidance and services, and ensure the implementation of these measures to lay a solid foundation for increased production and income in the city's tea industry in 2024.

1. Actively Respond to Catastrophic Weather Conditions

According to warnings from the Chongqing Meteorological Observatory, a new round of strong cooling and wintry weather will begin on the 20th. From the 20th to the 23rd, average daily temperatures in most regions will drop by 8–12°C; regions above 600 meters in the central and eastern parts will experience sleet or light to moderate snow, with some areas experiencing heavy to severe snowfall, with minimum daily temperatures dropping below 0°C. From the 24th to the 26th, there will be continuous overcast and rainy or snowy weather with low temperatures.

First, provide meteorological information services. Closely monitor weather forecasts and the emergence of tea buds, and promptly disseminate information through various channels such as the internet, radio, and television, organizing tea companies and farmers to proactively implement disaster prevention measures.

Second, promptly organize the picking of spring tea. Before the onset of catastrophic weather, organize urgent harvesting to avoid losses.

Third, for tea gardens that cannot be picked in time, protective measures such as canopy covering should be taken to reduce frost damage.

Fourth, for tea gardens affected by disasters, pruning and timely application of fertilizers can help restore tree health.

2. Enhance Nutrient Management in Tea Gardens

Scientific and reasonable fertilization is a fundamental approach to increase tea yield and improve quality. Applying quick-release fertilizers, especially quick-release nitrogen fertilizers, before spring tea picking promotes early, abundant, and rapid growth, contributing to higher yields and better quality. It is recommended to apply approximately 10 kg of urea per mu 30–40 days before the start of spring tea harvest. Additionally, foliar sprays of 1%–2% urea (premium grade) or amino acid water-soluble fertilizers can be applied, with an interval of 10–15 days for two consecutive applications, stopping foliar fertilizer use 10 days before the spring tea harvest.

3. Inspect and Maintain Tea processing Facilities and Equipment

First, inspect electrical circuits. Conduct a thorough inspection of the electrical wiring in tea processing workshops and cold storage facilities, focusing on high-power equipment such as Wok dryers, driers, and cold storage units, and replace old wiring as needed.

Second, inspect and maintain tea processing equipment. Conduct a comprehensive check of damaged equipment and tools, purchasing replacements as necessary to prepare for large-scale production.

Third, clean the tea processing environment and premises. Focus on cleaning tools and equipment that come into direct contact with tea leaves.

4. Timely Early Picking and Frequent Harvesting

First, scientifically predict labor needs for tea picking, mobilizing returning migrant workers from nearby areas to pick spring tea, mitigating yield loss due to labor shortages.

Second, conduct picking technique training. Educate tea pickers on picking methods, standards, and requirements to improve efficiency and fresh leaf quality.

Third, closely monitor the emergence of tea buds, and when 10%–15% of the tea bushes' canopy has reached picking standards, organize the picking of tea.

Fourth, transport freshly picked leaves to the tea factory for withering immediately to prevent spoilage and unnecessary losses.

5. Prune for High-Quality, High-Yield Canopies at the Right Time

To ensure early market entry and high yields of spring tea, pruning is generally not conducted before the spring harvest. However, for tea gardens affected by frost, damaged branches should be pruned once temperatures warm up. After the spring tea production ends, for tea gardens not producing summer and autumn tea, it is suggested to heavily prune about 40–50 cm from the ground and allow the growth of new shoots during the summer and autumn, controlling vigorous summer shoots to improve the yield and quality of the following year's spring tea. For gardens producing summer and autumn tea, a light pruning of 3–5 cm from the canopy surface is recommended to facilitate mechanized picking of summer and autumn tea, reducing picking costs and improving efficiency.

6. Integrated Pest Management for Green Control of Tea Garden Pests and Diseases

The overall pest and disease pressure in early spring is typically low due to lower temperatures. However, during mid- and late spring, closely monitor the occurrence of pests such as the tea green leafhopper, green stink bug, tea lace bug, black scale, aphids, and tea orange spider mite. Conduct thorough monitoring and forecasting of major tea garden pests and diseases, promptly issue warning information, and guide tea growers, cooperatives, and enterprises to seize key control periods, implementing integrated pest management strategies. During the spring tea harvest, control pest populations primarily through early and frequent picking, or by using insect traps, pheromone lures, and other methods, while prohibiting the use of any chemical or biological pesticides.

7. Strengthen Promotion of Tea Brands and Products

Early-season premium Green Tea is a distinctive advantage of our city's tea production. Local areas should actively plan a series of tea-related activities, including tea-picking festivals, exhibitions, picking experiences, hand-processing experiences, and tasting sessions, leveraging TV stations and social media platforms to promote early-season premium tea brands and products.