Effects of tea intercropping with soybean

Chinese. 分析幼龄茶树与大豆间作对土壤养分状况、茶叶生长、病虫害防治等的影响。采用两个大豆品种和两个茶树品种，分春、夏两季在广东省农业科学院茶叶研究所英德基地酸性土茶园进行田间试验，分别调查了茶、豆间作对土壤pH、氮、磷、钾、钙、镁等养分状况，茶树株高、株宽及百芽重等生长指标以及杂草控制和病虫害防治等的影响。幼龄茶园中间种大豆，大豆秸秆回田后能改良土壤养分状况，能显著降低交换性铝含量，提高土壤pH值，增加土壤有机质、有效氮和全氮含量；茶、豆间作能有效促进茶树生长，增加茶叶产量、增强幼龄茶园的树势、培养树冠，为成龄茶园的丰产打下基础；茶、豆间作还能有效改善茶园小气候、减少虫害和杂草的发生，从而显著地提高茶园的经济效益。选择适宜的大豆品种进行茶、豆间作，在增收两季大豆的情况下，能提高土壤肥力，改善微生态环境，提高茶叶产量，是一种生态和经济效益俱佳的栽培方式。

English. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soil, tea plant growth and management of pest and disease in a young tea and soybean intercropping system. Field experiments were conducted on an acid soil in the Tea Research Institute of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences located in Yingde County in both spring and summer seasons. Two soybean varieties and two tea varieties were used to investigate the effects of tea-soybean intercropping on soil characteristics and nutrient status including pH value, N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents. The effects on tea plant growth indices such as plant height, width, and 100 bud weight, weed control, and management of pest and disease in the intercropping system were also investigated. Young tea and soybean intercropping with return of soybean straw could significantly improve soil and nutrient status of the tea plantation by decreasing exchangeable Al content, increasing pH value and enhancing organic matter, available N and total N contents. Intercropping significantly facilitated tea tree growth as indicated by increased vigor of young leaves and enhanced tree crown necessary for a high-yield tea production. Intercropping also significantly improved the micro-ecology of the tea plantation by reducing weed growth, pest and disease occurrence, and therefore increased tea yield and economic benefits of the tea plantation. Intercropping tea tree with appropriate soybean varieties is an effective cultivation method with great ecological and economic benefits. In addition to the harvest of two seasons of soybean, tea and soybean intercropping could increase soil fertility, improve micro-ecology and enhance tree yield.