Pea-Tea Intercropping Improves Tea Quality through Regulating Amino Acid Metabolism and Flavonoid Biosynthesis

Abstract

Pea-tea intercropping is an excellent cultivation method that can improve tea quality. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The present study was aimed at elucidating the mechanism of the effect of pea-tea intercropping on tea quality through a high-throughput method. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses were conducted to identify the changes in gene expression and metabolites changes intercropping, respectively. In addition, the amino acids and catechins were detected using the LC-MS method and quantified absolutely. The results showed that total polyphenols and catechins decreased but amino acids increased in pea intercropped tea shoots. Correspondingly, genes related to amino acid metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis were differentially expressed. For amino acid metabolism, 11 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 5 upregulated and 6 downregulated genes. Meanwhile, three genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism were upregulated in pea intercropped tea plants. These genes were also involved in amino acid metabolism. For flavonoid biosynthesis, two downregulated genes were identified, which were the flavonol synthase and anthocyanidin synthase genes and followed a similar pattern to changes in catechins and polyphenols. These advances have opened new horizons for understanding the biochemical mechanisms of amino acids and flavonoids in improving tea quality in the pea-tea intercropping cultivation model.

Effects of the Mixed Seeding Rate of Milkvetch on Fertilizer Substrate, Growth, and Carotenoid Levels of Baby Leaf Vegetables in Vertical Indoor Farming

“…iii MC 5 18 milkvetch seeds 1 0 spinach seeds; M2S1 5 12 milkvetch seeds 1 6 spinach seeds; M1S1 5 9 milkvetch seeds 1 9 spinach seeds; M1S2 5 6 milkvetch seeds 1 12 spinach seeds; SC 5 0 milkvetch seeds 1 18 spinach seeds. were differentially expressed (Ma et al 2022). However, in the present study, the effect of the short-term application of milkvetch on the carotenoid content of spinach was independent and thought to be more influenced by the light reception rate, which is determined by the seeding density rather than by macronutrients in the substrate.…”

Dietary Dried Jujube Fruit Powder (DJFP) Supplementation Improves Growth Performance, Antioxidant Stability, and Meat Composition in Broilers

“…Moreover, due to the high contents of carbohydrates in DJFP, some carbohydrate transport and metabolism-related genes have been proven to contribute to amino acid biosynthesis. These could indirectly compensate for the amino acid loss in breast meat by accelerating the biosynthesis of amino acids through the regulation of a series of amino acid metabolism related genes, such as Phe, and Tyr [ 70 ]. Thus, DJFP can be added to animal feeds during intensive broiler rearing to improve meat quality and achieve multiple benefits.…”

Leguminous green manure intercropping changes the soil microbial community and increases soil nutrients and key quality components of tea leaves

“…Recent studies have examined the practice of intercropping legumes with tea plants during the summer. The intercropping patterns in tea plantation have the ability to alter soil bacterial communities, thereby influencing amino acid metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis [ 17–19 ]. As a result, this practice has the potential to enhance soil nutrient metabolism and improve the quality of tea.…”