02. Water requirement of the Tea Plants

• Survival of young plantation- Monthly supply of a liter of water per plant. 10-12 m3 per hectare.
• Establishing young tea plants- Dampening the area of the root system. Replace 50% of the water loss from the evapo-transpiration tank every 15 days.
• Intensive sparing- When there is a very severe dry season, replace all the water loss from the evaporation every 7 to 10 days.
• Adult tea plants- Replace 50% of the water loss from the evaporation tank every 15 days. Taking in to account any rainfall of more than 3 mm.
In regions with extensive dry seasons, shading trees play an important role in providing and maintaining sufficient humidity. Additionally, tea plantations in windy regions should also be protected by windbreaks, to reduce the intensity of evapo-transpiration. Sufficient drainage and aeration of the soil can be lastingly and economically achieved with the combination of shading trees, deep-rooting green manure plants, mulching and pruning of tea plants.