Leguminous green manure intercropping changes the soil microbial community and increases soil nutrients and key quality components of tea leaves
Abstract Intercropping, a green and sustainable planting pattern, has demonstrated positive effects on plant growth and soil environment. However, there is currently a little research on the influence of intercropping leguminous plants and using them as green manure on soil environment and tea quali...
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| Published in: | Horticulture research 2024-03, Vol.11 (3) |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | eng |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Abstract Intercropping, a green and sustainable planting pattern, has demonstrated positive effects on plant growth and soil environment. However, there is currently a little research on the influence of intercropping leguminous plants and using them as green manure on soil environment and tea quality. During profuse flowering period of Chinese milkvetch, the contents of tea amino acids and soluble sugar in intercropping tea plants-soybean increased by 6.89% and 54.58%. Moreover, there was 27.42% increase in soil ammonium nitrogen and 21.63% increase in available nitrogen. When Chinese milkvetch was returned to soil for one month during its profuse flowering period, the soybean and Chinese milkvetch as green manure enhanced tea amino acids and soluble sugar by 9.11% and 33.96%, and soil ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and available nitrogen increased by 25.04%, 77.84% and 48.90%. Intercropping systems also have positive effects on tea quality components, soil fertility, and soil microbial communities during the profuse flowering period of soybeans and when soybeans from this period are returned to the field for one month. Furthermore, the soil fertility index was significantly increased, especially the intercropping system of tea-soybean-Chinese milkvetch. And the soil bacterial community complexity and fungal community interactions was significantly increased. Soil pH, nitrate nitrogen, and available phosphorus were found be crucial influencing factors on soil microbial communities, specifically bacterial communities. These results highlight the significance of optimizing the intercropping systems to improve the soil environment and tea quality components. They also provide theoretical foundation for promoting the sustainable development of tea plantations. |
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| ISSN: | 2052-7276 2662-6810 2052-7276 |