Looking back on this week, Guangdong Province experienced rainy and foggy weather. Moderate to heavy rains occurred in Qingyuan, Shaoguan, and Zhaoqing. The lack of sunlight generally affected the growth of crops in the fields, and the overall agricultural meteorological conditions were rated as average. The Guangdong Provincial Climate Center predicts that next week will be influenced by a cold front, and it is recommended that all areas prepare for cold protection measures and carry out spring farming activities as appropriate.

“In early February, Guangdong Province was mainly cloudy with intermittent rain, and the overall moisture and heat conditions were average for the sprouting of spring buds,” said Dr. Li Jianlong, an expert in Tea cultivation physiology and ecology from the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Tea Research Institute. He noted that mid-February is expected to see the influence of a cold front, with most regions experiencing overcast skies and light rain. There is a higher likelihood of low temperatures, overcast rainy weather, and late spring cold in the northern parts of the province. “Particularly in high-altitude mountainous areas, attention should be paid to the risk of cold damage.”

The tea gardens in Ruyuan, Shaoguan were tightly wrapped in frost when the cold front arrived at the end of January.

Weather Trend for Next Week

On the 11th and 12th, the northern counties and cities of Shaoguan, Qingyuan, and Zhaoqing will have overcast skies with light rain and local moderate rain, while other areas will experience scattered light rain under overcast skies. Most areas will have (light) fog in the morning and evening;

On the 13th, Shaoguan, Qingyuan, and the northern part of Zhaoqing will have overcast skies with moderate rain and local heavy rain, while other areas will transition from overcast to partly cloudy with light rain. Due to the influence of the cold front, daytime temperatures in northern Guangdong will begin to drop;

On the 14th, most regions will have overcast to clear skies with light rain, and due to the influence of the cold front, the lowest temperatures will be: 5°C to 8°C (2°C to 3°C in high-altitude mountainous areas) in northern Guangdong, 13°C to 16°C in southern regions, and 10°C to 12°C elsewhere;

On the 15th, most of the province will have clear to sunny skies. Some areas in northern Guangdong may experience temperatures below 5°C and frost. The lowest temperatures during this period will occur on the morning of the 15th: 4°C to 7°C (1°C to 2°C in high-altitude mountainous areas) in northern counties and cities, 11°C to 14°C in southern regions, and 8°C to 11°C elsewhere.

On the 16th and 17th, western regions will transition from sunny to cloudy with scattered light rain, while most other regions will have mainly cloudy weather, with a slight increase in temperatures.

Recommendations for Tea Production

1. Cultivation before the Spring Tea season can help increase production.

In the latter half of mid-February, timely spring management of tea gardens is recommended. This includes clearing ditches, removing early spring weeds, and loosening the soil. Cultivation depth should be less than 15 cm, and applying sprout-inducing fertilizers can help promote the early emergence of spring tea.

Spring Management of Tea Gardens

2. Northern Guangdong tea gardens should be cautious about low temperatures and cold damage.

The winter buds are beginning to sprout and are vulnerable to the effects of low temperatures and cold damage. It is necessary to strengthen daily management of tea gardens and prevent the impact of low temperatures and frost using techniques such as covering, sprinkling, and fumigating.

3. Preventing diseases and pests in tea gardens.

With recent high humidity, it is important to monitor pest outbreaks. Currently, some tea gardens in Qingyuan and Chaozhou have observed the presence of pear scale insects (1-5 per square meter) and adult gray tea looper moths (3-14 per trap) in the Qingyuan tea area.

Damage caused by pear scale insects

Monitoring situation of adult gray tea looper moths

【Reporter】Wu Yongyan

【Technical Guidance】Dr. Li Jianlong and Cai Xiaoyi, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Tea Research Institute

【Source】Southern Rural News Southern+, information is valuable when shared,