Effects of Inter-row Green Manure Mulching on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties of Young Tea Plantation

Five leguminous green manure plants, Indigofera endecaphyllajacq., Cassia sophera L., Chamaecrista nictitans, Chamaecrista rotundifolia CPI86134and Chamaecrista rotundifolia cv Wynn CPI34721, were used as mulching materials to study on the effects of inter-row leguminous grass mulching on soil physical and chemical properties of young tea plantation, with no covering as the control.The results showed that the soil physical characteristics were improved by increasing capillary porosity, field moisture capacity, saturated water content and the rate of liquid soil after continuous 3years mulch.Contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available nitrogen and phosphorus were increased by 9.82%-16.91%, 5.29-14.31%, 2.71%-13.07%, 0.71%-33.98%, respectively.The available potassium contents and pH values varied among different kinds of grasses. Mulching of erect Chamaecrista nictitans, erect Cassia sophera L.and semi-erect Chamaecrista rotundifolia CPI86134inhibited tea growth to a certain degree, but creeping Indigofera endecaphylla jacq.and Chamaecrista rotundifoliacv Wynn CPI34721promoted tea growth with no significant difference.Indigofera endecaphyllajacq. and Chamaecrista rotundifolia cv Wynn CPI34721were proved suitable for mulching on young tea plantation based on the comprehensive results of soil physical and chemical characteristics, soil fertility and tea growth.