Foliar Application of Bacillus thuringiensis Enhances Tea Quality and Plant Defense via Phyllosphere Microbiome Modulation

Yulin Xiong, He Liu, Dongliang Li, Wei Xie, Zhong Wang, Xiaohong Fang, Jizhou Wang, Wei Chen, Xi Du, Yanyan Li, Chuanpeng Nie, Chuanhua Yin, Pumo Cai () and Yongcong Hong ()
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Yulin Xiong: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
He Liu: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Dongliang Li: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Wei Xie: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Zhong Wang: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Xiaohong Fang: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Jizhou Wang: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Wei Chen: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Xi Du: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Yanyan Li: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Chuanpeng Nie: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Chuanhua Yin: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Pumo Cai: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
Yongcong Hong: College of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: The plant microbiome plays a crucial role in the health of the tea plant, while Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is widely utilized as a biological pesticide in tea gardens, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. However, the effects of Bt spraying on tea quality and the structure and function of the phyllosphere microbiome remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of Bt spraying on tea quality, microbiome composition, diversity, and potential functions using tea leaf quality measurements and high-throughput sequencing of the 16S/ITS rDNA genes. Results showed that spraying Bt1 significantly increased the contents of free amino acids (by 15.27%), flavonoids (by 18.00%), soluble sugars (by 62.55%), and key compounds such as epicatechin gallate (by 10.50%), gallocatechin gallate (by 122.52%), and epigallocatechin gallate (by 61.29%), leading to improved leaf quality. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that the community structure of both epiphytic and endophytic microbes became more complex after Bt treatment. The abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Novosphingobium , Methylobacterium , and Sphingomonas , increased significantly, while pathogenic fungi like Aspergillus and Phyllosticta decreased. Functional prediction indicated enhanced amino acid metabolism, secondary metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism, particularly the biosynthesis of flavonoids, which supports disease resistance and boosts secondary metabolite levels. Furthermore, Bt application reduced pathogenic fungi, enhancing the tea plant’s resistance to diseases. Overall, foliar spraying of Bt can positively alter the phyllosphere microbiome by enriching beneficial bacteria and improving metabolic functions, ultimately enhancing tea plant resistance and quality, and providing a scientific basis for sustainable pest management in tea cultivation.

Keywords: Bt; functional prediction; high-throughput sequencing; phyllosphere microbiome structure; metabolic function; tea plant resistance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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