Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 273-284 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 279 Another effective strategy is the optimization of nutrient management, particularly for albino tea cultivars like Baiye-1. By adjusting the rates and ratios of essential nutrients and incorporating organic manures, researchers were able to improve both the yield and quality of albino tea while reducing environmental risks (Zhu et al., 2024). Additionally, the use of controlled-release fertilizers has been shown to increase tea yield by 31.3% while reducing N2O emissions, demonstrating a sustainable approach to nutrient management in tea plantations (Wu et al., 2018). These case studies underscore the potential of integrating organic and optimized nutrient management practices to achieve higher yields in Chinese tea plantations. 6.2 Sustainable tea farming in India In India, sustainable tea farming practices have been increasingly adopted to address environmental and economic challenges. In Assam, the impact of climate variability on tea yield has been a significant concern. Research indicates that warmer temperatures and precipitation variability negatively affect tea yield, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate these impacts (Duncan et al., 2016). To promote sustainability, small tea growers in Assam have been encouraged to adopt organic cultivation methods. This shift not only enhances environmental management but also fosters entrepreneurship and improves income stability for growers (Deka et al., 2021). The economic sustainability of organic tea cultivation has been further supported by studies showing that small-scale organic growers in Assam can achieve higher incomes compared to conventional growers, provided they maintain stable yields (Deka and Goswami, 2021). This transition to organic farming is facilitated by policy interventions that focus on training, resource optimization, and the establishment of grower-owned processing facilities. These efforts highlight the potential for sustainable tea farming practices to improve both environmental outcomes and economic viability for smallholder farmers in India. 6.3 Agroecological management enhances soil health and tea quality in Vietnam Vietnam is also a major global tea exporter, with its tea plantations primarily located in the northern mountainous regions. However, the long-term reliance on traditional farming methods, coupled with excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, has led to soil acidification, reduced organic matter, and a decline in biodiversity. This not only threatens the ecological environment but also affects tea quality and farmers' economic returns. With the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, agroecological management and land conversion have emerged as potential solutions for improving soil health and enhancing economic benefits (Doanh et al., 2018; Le et al., 2023). A study conducted from 2019 to 2022 in northern Vietnam systematically assessed the effects of agroecological management practices (Le et al., 2023). The results showed that agroecological management significantly improved soil organic matter (increased by 0.8% on average) and pH (increased by 0.5 units), and enhanced soil biodiversity, with soil macrofauna and mesofauna populations increasing by 110% and 60%, respectively (Figure 3). In contrast, while traditional methods resulted in higher tea yields, they had a more significant impact on increasing soil total nitrogen (by 0.15%-0.2%). Economic analysis revealed that although agroecological cultivation had slightly lower yields, farmers' net income per hectare increased by approximately $8,400 due to the higher price of quality tea. Furthermore, agroecological management reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers, improving tea quality and market competitiveness. 7 Future Perspectives and Research Directions 7.1 Innovations in genetic improvement of tea varieties The future of tea cultivation heavily relies on advancements in genetic improvement to enhance yield, quality, and resilience against environmental stresses. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of multi-omics approaches, including genomics and transcriptomics, in tea breeding. These techniques have facilitated the development of molecular markers that can be used to breed tea plants with desirable traits such as high yield, quality, and resistance to pests and diseases (Li et al., 2023). Furthermore, the integration of single-cellomics, pangenomics, and plant-microbe interactions into breeding programs is expected to revolutionize the genetic improvement of tea varieties, providing a robust framework for developing resilient tea cultivars (Xia et al., 2020).
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