The coupling effect of water and fertilizer on the growth of tea plants [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntz]

Water and fertilizer are the two main factors promoting the rapid growth of tea plants (Camellia sinensis). Using two-year-old rooted cutting of Wuniuzao (Camellia sinensis) as experimental materials, “311-B” D-saturation optimization design was carried out using 5, 4, and 4 levels of irrigation regimes, fertilizer nitrogen, and fertilizer phosphorus, with six replications. The raw date obtained was used of quadratic regression fitting for the plant height, new-tip length and dry matter weight. The coupling effects of these three factors [nitrogen (N0, water, and phosphorus (P)] on dry matter weight were significant. The effect order of single factor on dry matter weight was N>water>P, while the interactive effect order on the dry matter weight was N and water>P and water>N and P. An optimal combination with 0.485 g·pot−1 N, 0.274 g·pot−1 P, and once every 4-5 days of watering was proposed for the highest tea dry matter yield.