Tea Agroecosystem Age-Associated Soil Bacterial Changes

Soil acidification is occurring at epidemic rates in tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) agroecosystems relative to other crops, which poses a threat to sustainable cultivation. Despite global recognition of this issue, tea soil acidification (TSA) remains poorly defined regarding its pathogenesis and impacts on soil microbial communities. The present study employed a chrono sequence experimental design to assess soil physicochemical and microbial 16S rRNA meta-barcoding data as they transformed alongside the progression of TSA in 3-year- (Young), 8-year- (Middle), and 13-year-old (Old) tea agroecosystem soils. 7 additional tea agroecosystems in Southern China were sampled in order to further test the significance of correlative trends observed through the chrono sequence.