Transcriptomic analyses reveal leaf colour changes and L-theanine accumulation in variegated tea

This study aimed to explore the change in leaf color and the accumulation of theanine using transcriptomics methods. Camellia sinensis Yanlinghuayecha is a variegated mutant developed recently in China. There are few reports of variegated leaves in Camellia sinensis. We compared the transcriptome between the albino, mosaic, and green sectors of Yanlinghuayecha to provide valuable insights into variegation in tea plants with regard to leaf color change and theanine accumulation.