Effects of different fertilization patterns on soil nutrient, tea quality and yield components

To determine the fertilization efficiency under different fertilization modes and fertilization rates of tea garden, a field test was conducted to study the effects of different fertilization practices on soil fertility, and tea quality and yield components. Three fertilization modes were set up - broadcast fertilization, furrow fertilization and furrow fertilization with plastic-film mulching. Five fertilization rates were designed under furrow fertilization with plastic-film mulching, which were zero fertilization (CK), 45 kg(N)·hm^-2, 60 kg(N)·hm^-2, 75 kg(N)·hm^-2, 90 kg(N)·hm^-2. The results showed that in terms of soil fertility and tea yield components and quality, furrow fertilization with plastic-film mulching was better than furrow fertilization. Furrow fertilization with plastic-film mulching improved both the quality and yield of tea and it also enhanced to a certain extent soil nutrient in the tea garden. Broadcast fertilization had the worst effects on soil fertility and tea yield components and quality. Compared with furrow fertilization, furrow fertilization with plastic-film mulching increased tea water extract, caffeine and free amino acids contents by 2.24%, 7.26%, 14.68%. Also, it increased the bud leaf density and length by 8.50% and 8.15%, respectively. Then organic matter, total nitrogen, available N, P and K respectively improved by 10.87%, 26.74%, 17.95%, 34.69%, 25.42% in surface soil and by 10.38%, 28.22%, 25.64%, 15.34%, 17.97% in subsurface soil under furrow fertilization with plastic-film mulching. Contrarily, tea polyphenols decreased by 1.88% and pH by 8.16% and 5.30% in surface and subsurface soils, respectively. Comparison of the effects of different nitrogen doses under furrow fertilization with plastic-film mulching showed that the tea quality and yield components increased with increasing nitrogen dosage. However, the differences in the effects of 75 kg·hm^-2 and 90 kg·hm^-2 treatments were not significant in terms of tea quality and yield components. Thus under plastic-film mulching, furrow nitrogen fertilization at 75 kg·hm^-2 was an enough dosage for efficient tea garden production management.