Xin Zhang¹ , Yuexin Li³ , Yichen Zhao²

1 Institute of Biotechnology, Plant Conservation & Breeding Technology Center & Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, Guizhou, China
2 Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Tea Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
3 Guizhou Tea Research Institute / Plant Conservation & Breeding Technology Center, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, Guizhou, China
Author    Correspondence author
Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 4   
Received: 20 May, 2024    Accepted: 28 Jun., 2024    Published: 12 Jul., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Tea cultivation faces serious threats from pests, and traditional chemical pesticides not only harm the environment but also lead to pest resistance. Biological control utilizing beneficial microbes offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution. This study explores strategies for using beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses to control tea plant pests. It provides a detailed overview of several major beneficial microorganisms and their applications in the pest management of tea plants. The study found that bacteria effectively inhibit pests through antibiosis and microbial antagonism, fungi significantly reduce pest density by inducing systemic resistance and direct parasitism, and viruses provide precise control methods by infecting and killing specific pest species. This study, through practical case studies, demonstrates the successful application of these microbes in tea plantations and discusses the integration of biocontrol with chemical, agricultural, mechanical, genetic, and breeding methods. The research also evaluates the environmental and economic benefits of microbial biocontrol, emphasizing its long-term sustainability and market impact. Despite some challenges and limitations in application, the potential of these microbes will be further realized through technological innovation and scientific research. Future research should focus on advancements in microbial biocontrol technologies and their integration with modern agricultural practices to enhance the sustainability and productivity of tea cultivation.

Biological control; Beneficial microbes; Tea pests; Sustainable agriculture; Microbial biocontrol