Journal of Tea Science Research, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 38-46 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 43 jasmonate) and transcription factor manipulation (e.g., MYB, WRKY) increase not just tolerance to stress but also quality-related metabolite content (Li et al., 2023). Genomics and metabolomics enable breeders to monitor and control such characteristics in selection (Han et al., 2022). 6 Challenges and Limitations in Tea Stress Resistance Research 6.1 Complexity of the tea genome and difficulties in genetic studies The tea plant genome is very big and complex with a high proportion of repetitive sequences and high genetic heterogeneity. It complicates genome assembly, gene annotation, and identification of functional stress-resistance related genes. High gene duplication events and occurrence of numerous gene families complicate further dissection of stress-related pathways and the development of useful molecular markers for breeding (Xia et al., 2020). Functional genomic studies are further hampered by the evergreen nature and prolonged generation time of tea plants, which make genetic transformation and validation of candidate genes time-consuming. 6.2 Insufficient understanding of cross-talk among stress factors While single-stress responses (e.g., to drought, cold, or salinity) have been studied, cross-talk and interactive effects of two or more stress factors are unclear. Experiments are mostly carried out under single-stress conditions, but tea plants in the field are exposed to simultaneous or sequential stresses. Molecular processes of the integration of multisensorial signals and of their combined action on growth, yield, and quality remain unknown, which is a significant research gap. 6.3 Gaps between laboratory research and field application A majority of gains in stress resistance have their origins in laboratory or controlled-environment experiments that may not always be true in the field. Environmental variation, soil variations, and biotic interactions within tea estates can potentially alter stress responses and the effectiveness of resistance traits. There is a need for increased validation of candidate genes, molecular markers, and adaptive traits at the field level to verify practical application in breeding and production. 6.4 Integration of genetic improvement with traditional cultivation practices Dissemination of new genetic improvement technology to traditional cultivation and management practices remains challenging. Socioeconomic factors, farmer acceptability, and agroclimatic culture of the region may discourage new cultivar growth with stress tolerance. Stress tolerance vs. maintenance of tea quality and acclimatization to local environments must be maintained through multidisciplinary approaches combining molecular, ecological, and socioeconomic research (Ramakrishnan et al., 2023). 7 Integrative Perspectives and Practical Implications of Tea Stress Resistance Research 7.1 Complementarity of different research approaches Molecular biology, genetics, and multi-omics (transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics) present complementary and unique perspectives of tea plant stress responses. Molecular and genetic studies identify key genes and regulatory networks involved in stress tolerance, whereas omics approaches identify global changes in gene expression, metabolite accumulation, and protein function under stress conditions. For example, transcriptomics and metabolomics have enlightened the critical role of flavonoid metabolites in redox homeostasis and the regulation of tea quality under stressed conditions. Combination of these approaches gives a general idea of the stress resistance mechanisms that include physiology and molecules, and thus breeding improved tea varieties is possible (Zhang et al., 2019). 7.2 Contribution of stress resistance research to sustainable tea production Stress resistance research is ensuring sustainable tea production via the prospect of developing cultivars capable of resisting abiotic stresses such as cold, drought, and salinity, and biotic stress. Increased stress tolerance guarantees yield and quality maintenance, reduced economic loss, and chemical inputs. Stress-activated genes and metabolites, such as flavonoids, also direct cultivation methods and exogenous treatments (e.g., ABA, MeJA, melatonin) that can trigger field-level resistance in plants (Wang et al., 2023). This research supports long-term sustainability and profitability for tea farming.
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