New soil water model boosts tea yield and water efficiency in China!
Sprinkler irrigation in tea plantations in the Yangtze River region is important for high yield. A new model based on water rate and slope was created to control irrigation. Results showed that water infiltration increased with water rate but decreased with slope. Lower water rates extended irrigation time but increased depth. Higher slopes increased infiltration depth. The model accurately predicted infiltration depths, helping to optimize irrigation for tea fields in the region.