Application of Biochar for Tea Plantation

A series of experiments applying biochar was carried out on tea plantations in the city of Wuyi Mountain, Anxi County, Yongchun County and Hua'an County.The following results were obtained: (a) the soil pH increased 0.12-0.20 over the control, significantly ameliorating the acidity; (b) the soil organic carbon increased4.14%-29.37%, significantly increasing the carbon sequestration of the soil; (c) the total nitrogen increased3.34%-23.98%, hydrolyzable nitrogen decreased 3.40%-9.83%, the available phosphorus increased 1.61-9.69mg·kg-1, and the available potassium increased 9.13%-133.79%in the soils, as compared to the control;and, (d) the fresh leaf yield increased 1.71%-8.28%, significantly improving the economic return.Thus, it was concluded that the application of biochar could be used to improve soil properties and tea yield for a tea plantation.An extended testing on additional planting areas was recommended for further confirmation and demonstration of the effects.