Relationship between microclimatic factors and yield of spring tea Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze in Henan Jigongshan Nature Reserve

Microclimatic factors have significant effects on yield of spring tea. Regression relations derived from these factors are crucial for the management of spring tea. 18 microclimatic factors and tea outputs were measured during spring tea harvest season. The relationships between yield of spring tea and microclimatic factors were explored. Using the multiple stepwise regression analysis, empirical yield models of spring tea were fitted to microclimatic factors, achieving a high confidence level. These models with different factors show similar and significant regression trends. Eighteen microclimatic factors are categorized into four groups through cluster analysis. Factor analysis indicates that common microclimatic factors of the environment variables are temperature, water and their combination factor, which own bigger load. In conclusion thus, an economic method can be established through measuring fewer microclimatic factors with significant regression models. Such economic methods can achieve similar outcomes with fewer investment, management and processing of spring tea. This can significantly benefit spring tea cultivation and economy.