DEVELOPING TECHNIQUES FOR QUALITY AND SAFE TEA PRODUCTION

Research results show that after 3 - 4 year period of mulching with 20 t/ha of Te (guot) and Ghine grass TD58, the tea yield increased with 20,5% (without watering) and 37.9% (with watering). Long plucking time interval of 15 - 45 days and pruning after plucking did not reduce the tea yield per hectare per year, while increased the tea quality. In-season pruning (in December) resulted in higher yield compared to off-season pruning (in April and July). The use of bio-fertilizers improved tea quality. The bio-pesticide SH01 was identified to be of high effectiveness in controlling tea thrip (Chlorita flavescens Fabricius) and tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora). Integrated pest management in demonstration plots prevented the development of major pests and increased the quality of tea. Demonstration on safe and high quality tea production was conducted in 3 locations: Bao Loc - Lam Dong, Tan Cuong - Thai Nguyen and Moc Chau - Son La, with the total area of 2 ha in each site, during 2004 - 2006. Tea produced in the demonstration plots meet the criteria of food safety.