Effect Of Fertilizing Se And Zn With N And/or P On Quality Of Tea Leaves Producted Within Hilly Red Soil

Tea leaves perform positive effects on human health. Most of these effects areattributed to the bioactive components such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, andamino acids in tea leaves. The hilly red soil in Jiangxi province is acid soil, which hashigher Al and Mn contents. The tea plants are easily to gather Al and Mn whichreduce the positive meaning to health and may cause senile dementia and chronicnerve poisoning. A new fertilizing method which could decrease the contents of Aland Mn and improve the natural quality of tea is expected to be explored.Tea plants, planted in Jiangxi province which is representation of hilly red soilregion, were selected as research objects. By adding exogenetic Se (0.833mg/m2), Zn(0.0333g/m2), N (0.417g/m2) and/or P (0.208g/m2) in soil every month, theelements (Se, Zn, Al and Mn) and bioactive components (total free amino acid,polysaccharide, total phenolic, flavone, catechins and caffeine content), as well asantioxidant ability in two leaves and a bud, and old leaves of two seasons (Novemberand April) were investigated. The main results are the following:1. By adding Se and Zn with N and/or P in soil, the Al and Mn contents of tealeaves were significantly decreased, meanwhile, the contents of Se and Zn wereincreased. Fertilized Se, Zn and P together was the most effective method onincreasing Se and decreasing Al contents in tea leaves which indicated Se mayantagonize Al. However, fertilized Se, Zn and N together was the most effectivemethod on increasing Zn and decreasing Mn contents in tea leaves which indicatedZn may antagonize Mn. The highest growth rate of Se and Zn respectively were255.65%and126.25%. The highest decrement rate of Al and Mn respectively were68.04%and58.39%.2. By adding Se and Zn with N and/or P in soil, the quality of tea leaves could beimproved. The contents of bioactive components (free amino acid, polysaccharide,polyphenol, flavone, catechins and caffeine) in tea leaves were increased. Se, Zn andN fertilized together was the most effective method on increasing free amino acid,polysaccharide and caffeine contents (the highest growth rate were136.29%,93.72% and37.99%，respectively). Se, Zn and P fertilized together was the most effectivemethod on increasing polyphenol, flavone, and catechins contents (the highest growthrate were17.43%,93.01%and39.17%, respectively).3. By adding Se and Zn with N and/or P in soil, the antioxidant ability of tealeaves were improved. Se, Zn and P fertilized together was the most effective methodon improving antioxidant ability, which were indicated by three evaluation methods(DPPH, FRAP and reducing power).The results showed that adding Se and Zn with N and/or P in red soil, the Al andMn contents of tea leaves were significantly decreased, meanwhile, the contents of Seand Zn were increased. The contents of bioactive components (total free amino acid,polysaccharide, total phenolic, flavone, catechins and caffeine) contents wereincreased, as well as antioxidant ability in tea leaves.