Effects of Collar Pruning Time and Resting Period on Quantitative and Qualitative Traits of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

In order to determine the best resting period (without-plucking) and collar pruning time in tea gardens, a factorial experiment with two factors using a randomized complete block design with four replications was done during four years at the Fouman (Fashaml) Shahid Eftekhari Research Station. The first factor was resting period in three levels including without-plucking in autumn, plucking in autumn and without-plucking in the last picking turn of autumn, and the second factor was collar pruning time at four levels including 6th of December, 6th of January, 6th of February and 6th of March. The results of analysis of variance and mean comparisons showed that the without-plucking treatment in autumn had the greatest effect on starch storage in tea plants. Also, the effect of plant resting time on number of shoots, yield of green leaf and tannin percentage were significant, so that the highest mean shoot number, yield of green leaf and tannin content was observed in without planking treatment during autumn. The effect of pruning time on starch storage, yield of green leaf and tannin content was significant and the highest starch content and yield of green leaf was achieved in pruning treatment of 6th of January.