Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 256-268 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 259 microbes, which contribute to the stabilization of soil organic matter and the overall health of the soil ecosystem. By fostering a healthy microbial community, tea plantations can achieve sustainable soil management and improved crop yields. Figure 1 Variation in soil available P content related to LJ43 and LY002 with different treatments (Adopted from Ruan et al., 2023) Image caption: (A): LJ43; (B): LY002. Data show the mean ± standard deviation (n = 3). The fertilization zone is located at the right-most side (i.e., 50 cm distance to LJ43-near or LY002-near main roots). Regarding the tea plants near the fertilization belts (LJ43-near or LY002-near), the fertilization belt was 50 cm distance from main roots of the tea plants; regarding the tea plants far from the fertilization belts (LJ43-far or LY002-far), the fertilization belt was 100 cm distance from the main roots of the tea plants (Adopted from Ruan et al., 2023) 4 Biotic Factors 4.1 Pest and disease management: impacts on yield Pest and disease management is crucial for maintaining tea yield, as various pests and diseases can significantly impact the productivity of tea plantations. Insect pests such as the tea green leafhopper and various mites are known to cause substantial yield losses if not properly managed. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, which include biological control measures, have been widely adopted to mitigate these impacts. For instance, in China, over 1100 species of natural enemies, including viruses, fungi, parasitoids, and predators, have been documented in tea ecosystems, providing effective control of arthropod pests with reduced chemical pesticide usage (Hazarika et al., 2009; Yè et al., 2014). The use of nanopesticides is also emerging as a promising approach, offering more effective and safer pest control options (Deka et al., 2021). Fungal diseases, such as blister blight, pose another significant threat to tea yield. These diseases can severely affect the quality and quantity of harvestable shoots. Management strategies include the use of fungicides, microbial biocontrol agents, and the development of resistant cultivars to mitigate damage (Sen et al., 2020; Pandey et al., 2021; Liu, 2024). However, the overuse of chemical pesticides can lead to phytotoxicity and undesirable residues, prompting a shift towards more sustainable practices like microbial biocontrol and integrated disease management (Sen et al., 2020). Understanding the genetic variability of pathogens and the economic impact of diseases is essential for developing effective management strategies, especially as climate change alters disease dynamics (Pandey et al., 2021). 4.2 Role of pollinators and other beneficial organisms Pollinators and other beneficial organisms play a vital role in enhancing tea yield by promoting plant health and reducing pest populations. Predacious mites, for example, have been shown to positively impact tea leaf yield in Kenya. The presence of these mites, particularly from the Phytoseiidae family, correlates with increased leaf yield, especially when combined with factors like high altitude and NPK-fertilizer application (Mutisya et al., 2018). This highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced ecosystem within tea plantations to support beneficial organisms.
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