Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 192-201 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 192 Feature Review Open Access Harnessing Beneficial Microbes: Biological Control Strategies for Tea Pests XinZhang1, YuexinLi 3, Yichen Zhao2 1 Institute of Biotechnology, Plant Conservation & Breeding Technology Center & Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, Guizhou, China 2 Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Tea Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China 3 Guizhou Tea Research Institute / Plant Conservation & Breeding Technology Center, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, Guizhou, China Corresponding author: yczhao@gzu.edu.cn Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/jtsr.2024.14.0018 Received: 20 May, 2024 Accepted: 28 Jun., 2024 Published: 12 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhang X.., Li Y.X., and Zhao Y.C., 2024, Harnessing beneficial microbes: biological control strategies for tea pests, Journal of Tea Science Research, 14(4): 192-201 (doi: 10.5376/jtsr.2024.14.0018) Abstract Tea cultivation faces serious threats from pests, and traditional chemical pesticides not only harm the environment but also lead to pest resistance. Biological control utilizing beneficial microbes offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution. This study explores strategies for using beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses to control tea plant pests. It provides a detailed overview of several major beneficial microorganisms and their applications in the pest management of tea plants. The study found that bacteria effectively inhibit pests through antibiosis and microbial antagonism, fungi significantly reduce pest density by inducing systemic resistance and direct parasitism, and viruses provide precise control methods by infecting and killing specific pest species. This study, through practical case studies, demonstrates the successful application of these microbes in tea plantations and discusses the integration of biocontrol with chemical, agricultural, mechanical, genetic, and breeding methods. The research also evaluates the environmental and economic benefits of microbial biocontrol, emphasizing its long-term sustainability and market impact. Despite some challenges and limitations in application, the potential of these microbes will be further realized through technological innovation and scientific research. Future research should focus on advancements in microbial biocontrol technologies and their integration with modern agricultural practices to enhance the sustainability and productivity of tea cultivation. Keywords Biological control; Beneficial microbes; Tea pests; Sustainable agriculture; Microbial biocontrol 1 Introduction Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, but its cultivation faces significant challenges due to various pests. These pests, including mites, tortricid moths, hemipterans, and coleopterans, attack different parts of the tea plant, leading to substantial crop losses annually. The foliage, which is the marketable part of the tea plant, is particularly vulnerable to these pests, necessitating effective management strategies to ensure sustainable production (Nakai and Lacey, 2017). The traditional reliance on synthetic pesticides for pest control in tea cultivation has led to several adverse effects, including the development of pest resistance, environmental pollution, and pesticide residues in the final product (Deka and Babu, 2021). These issues have driven the agricultural community to seek alternative, eco-friendly pest management strategies. Biological control, which involves the use of natural enemies such as entomopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes, has emerged as a promising solution. These microbial agents not only target specific pests but also minimize environmental impact, making them a crucial component of sustainable agriculture (Deka et al., 2022). This study aims to explore and integrate existing knowledge on the use of beneficial microorganisms as biocontrol agents for tea plant pests. It focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of various microbial agents in controlling tea plant pests and identifying the benefits and limitations of their application in tea cultivation. Additionally, the research provides recommendations for incorporating microbial control into existing pest management practices to
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