Hokumei

New green tea cultivar 'Hokumei' has been bred by the Saitama Tea Experiment Station. The clone was selected from seedlings crossed between 'Sayamamidori' (male) and 5507' (female) in 1967. Adaptabily, tolerance to bark split frost injury, and Blister blight were tested at 13 tea experiment stations as from 1984 to 1990. It was registered as 'Norin No.43' and named 'Hokumei' in 1994. The characteristics of the cultivar are as follows; 1 The shape is erect type, and the growth is vigorous. The size of a mature leaf is the same as 'Yabukita'. Young leaves are lustrous green in color. The yield component of new shoots is bud weight type. 2 Regarding the first crop of this cultivar in Saitama; the flushing time occurred 7 days later than that of 'Sayamakaori' while the plucking time is 6 days later. At other experiment stations the flushing time is 3 days later than that of 'Yabukita' and the plucking time is 2 days later. In comparison with 'Yabukita', it has higher resistance to cold drought, bark split frost injury and freezing injury. 3 The yield of 1st or 2nd crop is higher than that of 'Yabukita'. 4 Quality of processed tea from 1st or 2nd crop is good in appearance, quality of liquor and fragrance. 5 'Hokumei' is suitable for Kanto and Tosan areas and cool semi-mountainous areas. It is expected to avoid late frost injury.