On September 21, forestry specialists from the Hunan Academy of Forestry Sciences and Central South University of Forestry and Technology visited the Tangjiashan oil-tea plantation to deliver practical, on-site guidance. Their focus was on eco-friendly pest control and the renovation of low-yield groves, providing local growers with actionable solutions for improving production.

The Tangjiashan base, spanning 100,000 mu, is recognized as the largest single-block oil-tea plantation in the country. With the harvest season approaching, the trees are heavy with fruit, and the outlook is highly promising. Amid the groves, Yu Jinxiu, an associate researcher at the Hunan Academy of Forestry Sciences, carefully inspected branches and fruit clusters while pointing out signs of disease to the gathered farmers. Growers listened closely, frequently jotting down notes as she explained integrated prevention strategies.

Since last year, this plantation has adopted early forecasting for major oil-tea pests and diseases, incorporating physical barriers, manual removal, and biological controls. As a result, the groves have successfully managed pests without relying on chemical pesticides. Yu Jinxiu emphasized that with the fruit-picking period arriving in September and October and the subsequent tending phase, they are proactively guiding growers to prune infected branches, fertilize roots, and lower pest reservoirs. This approach aims to reduce next year's outbreak pressure and achieve both early intervention and green management.

Meanwhile, in a demonstration zone for low-yield grove renovation, Li Ze, a professor at Central South University of Forestry and Technology, walked growers through the technique of high-efficiency bark grafting and canopy replacement on a grafted tree. He explained how strategic pruning and grafting can rejuvenate weaker trees and significantly increase yields. Farmers actively asked questions and exchanged ideas in an energized session.

Li Ze highlighted a grafted superior variety called Huaxin, showing the vigorous growth at the graft union. After two years and three months, the tree is already loaded with fruit and expected to yield around 10 jin this year, increasing to 20-30 jin next year, eventually producing roughly one jin of oil per tree. He noted that this grafting method allows trees to bear fruit within two years and reach full production in three, cutting four to five years from the conventional seedling-planting timeline. Moreover, it reduces both cultivation and labor costs by approximately 2,000 to 3,000 yuan per mu compared to traditional methods.

As a region renowned as the "Hometown of Chinese Oil-Tea," Qiyang has deepened its collaboration with universities and research institutions, establishing a long-term mechanism for industry-academia-research cooperation. After the training sessions, the experts distributed brochures to growers, encouraging ongoing self-learning and ensuring that scientific support remains a steady companion rather than a one-time visit.