Determining the Function of Roots of Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis) Cultured by a Novel Form of Hydroponics and Soil Acidification

To investigate the physiological function of tea plant (Camellia sinensis) roots, an unique method of hydroponic culture was used. During culture, the pH of the nutrient solution with an actively developing tea plant fell. Furthermore, no oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, or citric acid, all of which might contribute to acidification, were found in a growing plant's nutritional solution. Recent overuse of nitrate-containing fertilisers has resulted in acidity of the soil near tea fields, which has led to environmental pollution, and this has grown into a significant issue. A proton pump inhibitor prevented the fluid from acidifying. Soil acidification may have been hastened by a proton released selectively from ammoniacal nitrogen for growth, implying the unique mechanism of the tea plant as a functional food.