Objective Effects of intercropping tea plants with mugwort on the pest and predator populations, nutrient contents of planation soil, and biochemical components of fresh leaves of a tea plantation were studied.
Methods An experiment was conducted in the field with lots that was either monocultured with tea bushes or intercropped tea plants with mugwort (Artemisia argyi) to determine the resulting ecological effects on the sites. A five-point sampling method was applied to collect specimens for monitoring the counts on tea green leafhoppers and spiders. Chemical analysis was performed on the rhizosphere soil for measuring nutrient contents and biochemical indices.
Results In addition to available phosphorus, nutrients were significantly more abundant in the rhizosphere soil of the intercropping lot than in the monoculture counterpart. For instance, the content of total nitrogen increased by 23.08% and available potassium by 30.63% in the soil. In the leaves of the tea plants grown on the intercropping lot polyphenols were affected with a significant decline. The intercropping also reduced the number of Empoasca onukii found on the lot with a 35.53% decrease at the peak of the insect activity. Meanwhile, its natural enemy spider, thrived. Ever since May 25, 2021, the experiment started the spider population on the intercropping lot had been significantly higher than that in the monoculture lot. On that day, the total number of spiders found on the intercropping lot already reached 3 times that on the monoculture lot.
Conclusion Intercropping tea bushes with A. argyi effectively improved the ecology of a tea plantation. It translated also into considerable financial benefit for the farmers. Hence, the practice was highly recommended for promotion.
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