How application of agricultural waste can enhance soil health in soils acidified by tea cultivation: A review

Tea is one of the world’s most consumed drinks and an important crop of many developing countries. As tea plants can retain their productive life span for decades, intensive tea cultivation has negative impacts on soil health properties and the environment. Globally, soil acidification in tea plantations has become a severe issue, threatening soil health, tea production and the environment. However, the ways in which soil acidification affects soil health, tea productivity and the environment, and
suitable methods to control this issue have not been critically reviewed.

Here, we review the mechanisms of tea soil acidification and its consequences; the potential of common agricultural wastes for ameliorating soil acidity and enhancing soil health and crop productivity, as well as reducing environmental pollution under tea cultivation. We show that intensive application of chemical nitrogen is the main cause of soil acidification in tea plantations, while tea plants also play a part in accelerating tea soil acidity. Agricultural waste and products derived from these resources have a great potential to correct soil acidity, enhance soil health and tea productivity and quality.

These soil amendments also introduce risks such as heavy metals and/or pathogens as well as production and application costs that require consideration

Le, V.S.; Herrmann, L.; Hudek, L.; Binh, N.T.; Bräu, L.; Lesueur, D.