Influences of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on the absorption and accumulation of zinc, selenium, and other trace elements in tea plants
Liu, Q; Lin, Y; Hu, X; Wu, A; Ye, X; Chen, F
Zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and other trace elements, such as aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn), are important indexes of tea quality. In Camellia sinensis the uptake mechanism of Zn and Se and the internal cycles of trace elements in response to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers are unclear. The tea plant “Fudingdabai”, located in the red-soil hilly region of China, was selected for a randomized block experiment with three replications of five treatments: Zn+Se, Zn+Se+N, Zn+Se+P, Zn+Se+N+P, and a control (CK). After three years of fertilization, trace element concentrations were measured in the tea and mature leaves and the absorptive, transportive, and storative roots. The concentrations of Zn, Se, and other trace elements in the above- and below-ground organs exhibited divergent responses to the treatments. In all of the organs, Zn and Se were significantly elevated in the fertilized plots. In the tea and mature leaves, Se concentrations significantly increased in the Zn+Se treated plots with N and/ or P. Al and Fe (in the absorptive and transportive roots) and Cu (in the storative roots) were significantly elevated in the fertilized plots. Mn was more prevalent in the transportive roots of the Zn+Se+N, Zn+Se+P, and Zn+Se+N+P treated plots. In the storative roots, Mn increased only in the Zn+Se+N+P treatment. Ca did not differ. There was a positive correlation between Zn in the tea and mature leaves and Zn in the absorptive roots, while Se in the tea and mature leaves was positively correlated with Se in the storative roots. These results suggest that tea plants can absorb and accumulate Zn and Se, and N and P fertilizers increase Se levels in tea leaves. This study provides a basis for cultivating high-quality tea with abundant Zn and Se and for establishing tea gardens in the red-soil hilly region of China. © 2021 Science Press. All rights reserved.