Concentrations of Aluminum Complexes in Tea Leaves and Soils from Tea Plantations

Abstract

Aluminum ions, which generally suppress root elongation of plants, are important for the growth of tea plants. We analyzed the concentrations of aluminum complexes in tea leaves and soils from the ‘Yabukita’, ‘Benifuki’ and ‘Benihomare’ tea plantations using ²⁷Al NMR spectrometry. The monthly changes in concentrations of aluminum ions were also examined using local varieties of tea leaves from Kyoto and soils in which the tea plants grow. The complexes (oxalato) aluminate and (citrato) aluminate, Al (SO₄)⁺, and aluminum ions were detected in most samples. Their concentrations in the leaves and soils varied among cultivars and sampling times.