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Effect of shading intensity on morphological and color traits and on chemical components of new tea ( Camellia sinensis L.) shoots under direct covering cultivation
Author(s) -
Sano Tomohito,
Horie Hideki,
Matsunaga Akiko,
Hirono Yuhei
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.9112
Subject(s) - camellia sinensis , shading , shoot , horticulture , biology , chlorophyll , botany , art , visual arts
BACKGROUND Use of covering cultivation to shade tea ( Camellia sinensis L.) trees to produce high‐quality, high‐priced green tea has recently increased in Japan. Knowledge of shading effects on morphological and color traits and on chemical components of new tea shoots is important for product quality and productivity. We assessed these traits of tea shoots and their relationships under covering cultivation of various radiation intensities. RESULTS Leaf thickness, leaf mass per area, and leaf density of new tea leaves were smaller under covering culture than under open‐field culture. SPAD values and chlorophyll contents were larger under covering culture than under open culture. The derived exponential equation for estimating chlorophyll contents from SPAD values was improved by considering leaf thickness. Covering culture decreased epicatechin and epigallocatechin contents, and increased theanine and caffeine contents. Principal component analysis on shoot and leaf traits indicated that leaf mass per area, chlorophyll, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin contents were strongly associated with shading effects. CONCLUSION The morphological traits, color traits, and chemical components of new tea shoots and leaves varied depending on radiation intensity, shoot growth, and cropping season. These findings are useful for covering cultivation with high quality and high productivity in tea gardens. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry