Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 273-284 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 278 agroforestry systems can lead to improved pollination and pest control, further supporting yield optimization. Agroforestry systems offer a sustainable approach to tea cultivation that enhances both environmental and economic outcomes. 6 Case Studies 6.1 Successful yield improvement in Chinese tea plantations In China, several studies have demonstrated successful strategies for improving tea yield through optimized cultivation techniques. One such approach involves the partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic alternatives, which has been shown to enhance soil quality and increase tea yield. For example, a study conducted in Southwest China analyzed the effects of substituting chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers on soil quality, tea yield, and tea quality in tea plantations in this region. The results showed that partial organic substitution (BFG treatment) significantly improved soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), and increased tea yield by 11.97% and tea quality (e.g., amino acid content increased by 7.78%) (Wang et al., 2024). In contrast, the full substitution scheme (OG treatment) failed to significantly increase yield due to insufficient nitrogen supply. Partial substitution (OFF treatment) achieved a better balance between economic benefits and environmental improvement. The study highlighted that by reducing nitrogen fertilizer application, partial organic substitution could enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) while promoting sustainable management of tea plantations (Figure 2). For future implementation of organic substitution, optimizing the balance between cost and benefit is essential, and long-term studies are recommended to verify its profound impact on tea plantation ecosystems. Figure 2 Conceptual graph for understanding the effect of fertilization managements on soil quality, tea yield, tea quality and nitrogen utilization efficiency. SOM, soil organic matter; TN, total nitrogen; AN, alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen; AP, available phosphate; AK, available potassium; C/N, soil organic carbon/total nitrogen; NUE, nitrogen utilization efficiency (Adopted from Wang et al., 2024) Image caption: The figure illustrates the effects of different treatments on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in tea plantation soils. The results indicate that partial organic substitution (e.g., BFG and OFF treatments) significantly increased NUE, with improvements of 25.6% and 18.3%, respectively, compared to the conventional chemical fertilizer treatment (CF). Although the full organic substitution treatment (OG) reduced nitrogen losses, it did not noticeably enhance NUE due to insufficient nitrogen supply. These findings demonstrate the significant advantages of partial organic substitution in improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing environmental nitrogen losses. Moreover, they highlight the importance of proper nitrogen management for the sustainable development of tea plantations (Adapted from Wang et al., 2024)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==