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Chemical fertilization is usually associated with some unreasonable problems that affect the sustainable production of tea gardens. The micro-organism fertilizer created from plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPM) integrates the beneficial properties of functional micro-organisms and bioinoculants. Application of PGPM can activate soil nutrients, prevent soil-borne diseases, and promote crop growth, thus improving crop quality and yield. In this study, the effects of bioinoculants composed of Streptomyces costaricanus strain A-m1 on the properties, enzyme activity, and micro-organisms of soil in a tea garden and on the chemical composition and production of tea were investigated. The present results showed that the application of A-m1 bioinoculant could increase the activities of urease, protease and catalase, the content of alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and the number of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in tea garden soil. After application, the free amino acid content, 100-bud weight, and bud density of spring tea were also elevated. In the year of fertilization, the treatment composed of 70% bioinoculant + 30% chemical fertilizer showed the best effects on soil physical and chemical properties, enzyme activity, culturable microbial counts, and tea quality. A high ratio of organic to chemical fertilizer coapplication can significantly improve the growing conditions for tea plants, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, improve the efficiency of nutrient utilization, and enhance both the yield and quality of tea. One year after fertilization, the 50% bioinoculant + 50% chemical fertilizer was more conducive to enhancing the quality of tea, while the 30% bioinoculant + 70% chemical fertilizer was more beneficial for improving the production of tea. A high ratio of chemical to bioinoculant coapplication is more favorable for maintaining high yield and quality in tea production, achieving healthy and sustainable tea garden management. The application of A-m1 bioinoculant will reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, improve the utilization efficiency of soil nutrients, and increase the production and quality of tea, contributing to the sustainable production of tea gardens.

Introduction: Carboxylesterases (CXEs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) can terminate olfactory signals during chemosensation by rapid degradation of odorants in the vicinity of receptors. The tea grey geometrid, Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera, Geometridae), one of the most devastating insect herbivores of tea plants in China, relies heavily on plant volatiles to locate the host plants as well as the oviposition sites. However, CXEs and GSTs involved in signal termination and odorant clearance in E. grisescens remains unknown.Methods: In this study, identification and spatial expression profiles of CXEs and GSTs in this major tea pest were investigated by transcriptomics and qRT-PCR, respectively.Results: As a result, we identified 28 CXEs and 16 GSTs from female and male antennal transcriptomes. Phylogenetic analyses clustered these candidates into several clades, among which antennal CXEs, mitochondrial and cytosolic CXEs, and delta group GSTs contained genes commonly associated with odorants degradation. Spatial expression profiles showed that most CXEs (26) were expressed in antennae. In comparison, putative GSTs exhibited a diverse expression pattern across different tissues, with one GST expressed specifically in the male antennae.Disscussion: These combined results suggest that 12 CXEs (EgriCXE1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 18, 20-22, 24, 26, and 29) and 5 GSTs (EgriGST1 and EgriGST delta group) provide a major source of candidate genes for odorants degradation in E. grisescens.

Insect Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) play crucial roles in the discrimination, binding and transportation of odorants. Herein, the full-length cDNA sequence of Minus-C OBP1 (MaltOBP1) from the Japanese pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus, was cloned by 3′ and 5′ RACE-PCR and analyzed. The results showed that MaltOBP1 contains a 435 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes 144 amino acids, including a 21-amino acid signal peptide at the N-terminus. The matured MaltOBP1 protein possesses a predicted molecular weight of about 14 kDa and consists of six α-helices, creating an open binding pocket, and two disulfide bridges. Immunoblotting results showed that MaltOBP1 was most highly expressed in antennae in both sexes, followed by wings and legs. Fluorescence assays demonstrated that MaltOBP1 protein exhibited high binding affinity with (R)-(+)-α-pinene, (−)-β-pinene, trans-caryophyllene, (R)-(+)-limonene and (–)-verbenone, which are the main volatile compounds of the pine tree. Our combined results suggest that MaltOBP1 plays a role in host seeking behavior in M. alternatus.

The nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Paederus fuscipes (GenBank accession no. MG581161) is 17,644 bp in size, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, and a partial control region. The gene order is similar to the typical insect mitochondrial genome. Maximum likelihood tree recovered the monophyly of Staphylininae, Pselaphinae, Paederinae and Aleocharinae. Additionally, Staphylininae is a sister group to Paederinae.

In order to explore the mechanism underlying chemosensation in the tea looper, Scopula subpunctaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), the types, morphology, quantity and distribution of sensilla on the antenna were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that females and males antennae were filiform, bipectinate, respectively, which be divided into three segments, scape, pedical and flagellum that consisted numerous individual flagellomeres, respectively. There were eight kinds and twelve types of sensilla on the antennae, including 4 subtypes of sensilla trichodae, 2 subtypes of sensilla basiconica, sensilla chaetica, Böhm bristles, sensilla squamiformia, sensilla auricillica, sensilla coeloconica, and sensilla styloconica. No differences were found about the morphology, abundance, and distribution of most sensillum. However, the distributions and abundances of ST III, sensilla coeloconica and sensilla styloconica dimensions showed significant sexual dimorphism between male and female adults. In addition, the possible functions of sensilla were analyzed and discussed according to their morphology, distribution, and the previously reported sensilla function. These results could help to understand the chemical communication of S. subpunctaria and their host, and provide a scientific basis for the development of a novel biological control strategy of S. subpunctaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of illumination of four LED wavelengths (440~450 nm, 460~465 nm, 600~605 nm and 490~495 nm) on egg quantity, oviposition rate and adult longevity of Ectropis grisescens Warren were investigated in laboratory. The results showed that the total egg quantity, oviposition rate and adult longevity were all affected. The egg number every female adult of E. grisescens Warren was reduced 37.36%, 26.17%, 41.88% and 35.11% contrast to the control. The average oviposition rate reduced 16.61%, 11.44%, 11.81% and 8.86% respectively with the supply of four wave lengths at night. Meanwhile, the pre-oviposition period and oviposition period were affected by the four illumination deals of wave lengths. The longevity of male and female adult was decreased, and the male adult was longer than that of female adult under each treatment of E. grisescens Warren. The eclosion rate of four deals were affected respectively. The purpose was screen out the best spectrum possible by study the effect of spectral treatment on biological habit of E. grisescens Warren. The results provide a scientific basis for the use of phototaxis to the integrated management of E. grisescens Warren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]