Zaobaijian

Ministry of Agriculture and Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. 1990. Collection on the improved tea varieties in China. p.56-57.

GSCT28 (Zaobaijian)

         Alternative name: Zaobaidian. Jat variety. Frutex type. Medium-leaf size. Early sprouting*.

         Originated in the Junlian county of Sichuan province. It is mainly distributed in the Yibing, Gao, and Gong counties. It was also introduced to the Zhejiang, Fufian and Hunan provinces in a limited area.

         Plant medium in size, with dense branching. Open-type in shape, Leaves horizontal. Length 7.9%10.0 cm, width 3.5%4.3 cm. Oblong in shape, with acuminate or stunt tips. Surface of leaves slightly protruded. Rather soft in texture. Medium size of serrations. 7~9 pairs of vein. Deep green m color, glossy. The sprouting period in spring season appears in the end of February in Sichuan province, and one bud and two or three leaves shoots can be plucked after the 20th of March. With vigorous sprouting ability and dense sprouting density. Shoots slender and silvery in color. Leaves light green in color with profuse hairs. Potent tendernesc-keeping ability. Numerous flowers, but less bearing percentage. High resistance to unfavorable condi-t.-ons. Wide adaptability.

         Higher-yielding. According to the estimation carried out by the Tea Research Institute, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the yield of GSCT28 variety is 20-30% higher than that of local population variety.

         According to the analysis conducted by the Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the contents of caffeine in spring season in the one bud and two leaves shoots averaged 4.54%, amino acids 2.66%, tea polyphenols 27.27% and total catechins 172.95 mg/g. Suitable to manufacture the black tea and green tea. The Gongfu black tea prepared by GSCT28 variety as the raw material is characterized by its elegant appearance, with fine white hairs, reddish and bright liquor as well as fragrant aroma, and is recognized as the superior raw material for the manufacture of 'Chuan-Hong, (Sichuan black tea). The Zaobaijian, Gongfu black tea prepared with this variety as the raw material has won the World Gold Metal on food quality in 1985. The high grade green tea prepared has a superb in color, aroma, taste and appearance.

         Suitable to poprlarize in the tea region in westsouth part of Sichuan province andthesouth-of-Yangzheriver.

         It is mainly propagaded by seeds either by sowing directly or by transplanting the seedlings. It can be earlier for bearing into production, so it is necessary to pluck in time.

农业部农业司，中国农业科学院茶叶研究所. 1990. 《中国茶树优良品种集》56-57页。杨亚军，梁月荣. 2014. 《中国无性系茶树品种志》271页。

华茶28号(GSCT28)   早白尖   又名早白颠，有性繁殖系品种。灌木型，中叶类，早芽种。   原产四川省筠连县，主要分布在宜宾、高县、珙县等地。浙江、福建、湖 南等省亦有少量引种。   

植株中等大小，分枝密，树姿开张。叶片呈水平状着生。叶片长7.9~ 10.0cm，宽3.5~4.3cm，叶形椭圆，叶尖渐尖或钝尖，叶面微隆起，叶质较 软，叶齿中等，叶脉7~9对。叶色深绿，富光泽，春芽在当地一般于2月底 开始萌发，常年在3月20日后即采摘一芽二叶、三叶。育芽力强；发芽密度 大，芽银白色细长，芽叶浅绿色，茸毛多，持嫩性强，花多实少，抗逆性强，适应性广。

产量较高，据四川省农业科学院茶叶研究所测定，比当地一般群体种増产 20 ~30 % 。据中国农业科学院茶叶研究所分析，春茶一芽二叶鲜叶含咖啡碱4.54%， 氨基酸2.66%，茶多酚27.27%，儿茶素总量172.95mg/g。适制红、绿茶。制工夫红茶，外形秀丽，嫩毫显露，汤色红艳，香气高雅，是“川红”的高级原料。 1985年早白尖工夫红茶曾获世界食品质量金质奖。制高档绿茶，色、香、味、 形俱佳。   

适宜在西南（四川）和江南(绿茶、工夫红茶)茶区推广。   

繁殖方式以种子繁殖为主，直播或育苗移栽均可。开园较早，注意及时采摘。