Work

Short-term magnesium application boosts tea quality through aroma compound enrichment, stress resistance improvement, and rhizosphere microbiome modulation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PurposeMagnesium (Mg) serves crucial functions in tea plants, with inadequate soil levels reducing both biomass production and organoleptic properties. This work characterizes Mg amendment effects on plant physiology, volatile biosynthesis, and harvest quality parameters.MethodsFour Mg concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300 mg kg-1) were tested in a 90-day pot study. We analyzed tea plant growth, nutrient uptake, stress resistance, tea quality (including volatile compounds), and soil properties (physicochemical characteristics and bacterial communities).ResultsMg fertilization significantly increased tea plant biomass (28.56%) and root activity (36.84%), along with total chlorophyll content (34.03%). It enhanced soluble protein (15.10%), peroxidase (16.17%), and catalase (39.37%) activities while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in leaves (20.87%) and roots (27.35%). Mg application elevated leaf N (nitrogen), K (potassium), Ca (calcium), and Mg content but decreased Na. The treatment enhanced key biochemical constituents - polyphenolic compounds, amino acid levels, and caffeine content - while reducing the phenol/amino acid ratio. Key aroma compounds (e.g., benzaldehyde, methyl salicylate) were enhanced. Soil pH rose by 0.45 units, with significant increases in available N (25.77%), P (18.45%), cation exchange capacity (27.69%), and exchangeable Mg (58.29%). Microbial diversity improved, with Proteobacteria increasing and Acidobacteriota declining at higher Mg rates.ConclusionsShort-term Mg fertilization improves nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, stress resistance, biomass, and tea quality by enhancing aroma compounds and biochemical composition. It also benefits soil health by increasing pH, nutrient retention, and microbial diversity. However, excessive Mg application (> 200 mg kg-1) negatively impacts tea quality.

Source: Industrial Crops and Products

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.122297