Foliar Nutrient Concentrations and Antioxidant Activity of Tea (Camellia sinensis L. (O) Kuntze) Planted in Peninsular Malaysia and its Relation to Soil Edaphic Factors

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Wisnu Eko Murdiono 1
Nur Amirah Syafiqah Salman 2
Uma Rani Sinniah 2
Ellisa Azura Azman 2
Jean Wan Hong Yong 3
Abbey Maleyki Md. Jalil 4
Khairil Mahmud 5
1 Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya (UB)
2 Department of Crop ScienceFaculty of AgricultureUniversiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
3 Department of Biosystems and TechnologySwedish University of Agricultural Sciences
4 School of Nutrition & DieteticsFaculty of Health SciencesUniversiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)
5 Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)Biodiversity Unit, Institute of Bioscience (IBS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Abstract
The global popularity of tea is due to its unique taste and health benefits, which are highly linked with its nutrient and antioxidant activity (AOA). However, diverse growing habitats, including distinct altitudes and soil edaphic factors, may regulate foliar nutrition and AOA of tea. Thus, this study aimed to (1) compare the nutritional characteristics and AOA of clonal tea grown in lowland and highland plantations and (2) investigate the influence of soil edaphic factors on tea foliar nutrition and AOA. Tea leaves and soils of fourteen tea clones were sampled between October 2021 to March 2022 from lowland and highland plantations in Peninsular Malaysia. Leaves were analysed for nutritional content and antioxidant activity, while soil samples underwent physical and nutritional analysis. Results showed significant variations in most foliar nutrients, except for Ca in the lowlands and Fe in the highlands. While the highland-grown tea exhibited higher nutrient concentration, lowland-grown tea demonstrated superior AOA. AT53 and 1248 were identified as promising among the clones, characterized by the highest nutrients and AOA levels, respectively. Soil nutrient availability significantly influenced foliar nutrient uptake, while soil pH was associated with the AOA. These findings highlight the critical role of soil edaphic factors in shaping tea quality, providing valuable insight for tea growers to optimize soil management strategies and maintain tea yield and quality in the future. We found that soil nutrients have a significant association with nutrient uptake, while soil pH is associated with the agronomic characteristics of tea. Investigating the association between ecological variables and tea foliar properties (nutrients and AOA) is of great importance for tea growers as they develop strategies to maintain the yield and quality of tea in the future.

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