Effects of integrated biological and chemical fertilization on pecco and banji shoot development in tea plants

Abstract

Tea productivity and quality are largely determined by shoot structure, particularly the balance between pecco shoots (tender buds and young leaves) and banji shoots (older, less productive shoots). Conventional reliance on inorganic fertilizers often enhances overall growth but does not necessarily improve shoot structure, while biofertilizers alone provide limited nutrient availability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining microbial-based liquid biofertilizers with inorganic fertilizers on the structure of tea shoots. The experiment was carried out on seed-derived tea plants using a randomized block design with several fertilization treatments, including sole biofertilizer, sole inorganic fertilizer, and their combinations. The parameters observed were the number and weight of pecco and banji shoots. The results revealed that the combined application of microbial-based biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased both the number and weight of pecco shoots compared with single applications. Conversely, the proportion of banji shoots decreased under integrated fertilization treatments, indicating an improvement in shoot structure toward more productive harvests. The synergistic effects of microbial activity and balanced nutrient supply enhanced nutrient uptake, regulated shoot differentiation, and promoted a higher ratio of productive shoots. In conclusion, the application of biological and chemical fertilizers affected the growth of pecco shoots and banji shoots of tea plants. Treatment 40 L/ha biological + 100% chemical fertilizer) produced the highest weight and number of pecco, while treatment 30 L/ha biological + 75% chemical fertilizer produced equivalent results, allowing for a reduction in chemical fertilizer dosage by up to 25%.