Effects of Pruning on Tea Tree Growth, Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial Diversity
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript deals with the effect of pruning on the tea plant and the enzyme activities, as well as the microbial diversity. The research idea is good and important for the management of tea cultivation in the study area.
However, there are many points that must be corrected, modified, and added before the research is published.
1- First, the level of language is poor, and the manuscript should be reviewed by an expert in English. For example, in the abstract:
a- Line 19: The results the analysis of tea tree growth indexes showed that the hundred-bud weight, leaf area and yield in pruning treatment were significantly higher than those in unpruned treatment. ((The results of the analysis of tea tree growth indexes showed that the hundred-bud weight, leaf area, and yield in the pruning treatment were significantly higher than those in the unpruned treatment.))
b- Line 25: in pruning treatment than in unpruned treatment ((in the pruning treatment than in the unpruned treatment)).
c- Line 31: while inhibited enzyme ((while inhibiting enzyme)).
2- Introduction
a- Lines 75-77: ((However, there are few reports on the changes of rhizosphere soil enzymes and soil microbial communities of perennial plants such as tea trees as affected by physical stress of pruning)). Add references.
b- Line 77-81: ((In this study, we investigated the effects of pruning on tea tree growth, soil physicochemical properties, soil enzyme activities and microbial functional diversity of Wuyi rock tea Meizhan to reveal the effects of pruning stress on the root soil environment of tea tree with a view to provide a theoretical basis for health management of tea plantations)). Change to: In this study, we looked at the effects of pruning on tea tree growth, soil physicochemical properties, soil enzyme activities, and microbial functional diversity in Wuyi rock tea Meizhan. We did this to find out how pruning stress affects the root soil environment of tea trees and provide a theoretical basis for the health management of tea plantations.
3- Materials and methods
a- In: 2.1. section the authors said that ((The tree age of "Meizhan" in the tea garden is 9 years, and the planting area is about 0.7 ha. The tea trees were 8 years old and had not been pruned before.)). How old is the tree, 9 years or 8 years?
b- Section 2.4 (Li et al. (2008) [18].) remove (2008)
c- There are many methods that do not have references. References must be written at each method of action (for example: The activity of polyphenol oxidase was determined colorimetrically by pyrogallol. Catalase activity determined titration by potassium permanganate. Acid phosphatase activity was determined colorimetrically by disodium phenyl phosphate. The protease activity was determined colorimetrically by ninhydrin. The activities of asparaginase and glutaminase were determined colorimetrically by Nye's reagent. The activity of nitrate reductase was determined colorimetrically by phenol disulfonic acid).
Please put the Table (1) in its proper place in the text.
4- Results
a- Figure 1: please give more details for the figure legend.
b- Provide a better figure instead of Figure 7 (c)
c- Rephrase from Line 194- to Line 227.
5- Discussion:
a-- Some references are written incorrectly in the text. (Lines: 329, 334, 345 and 365)
After that renumbering the references list.
b- Update your references (there is no any reference in 2023)!.
6- It is preferable to write a recommendation at the end of the research.
Author Response
The manuscript deals with the effect of pruning on the tea plant and the enzyme activities, as well as the microbial diversity. The research idea is good and important for the management of tea cultivation in the study area.
However, there are many points that must be corrected, modified, and added before the research is published.
1- First, the level of language is poor, and the manuscript should be reviewed by an expert in English. For example, in the abstract:
- Line 19: The results the analysis of tea tree growth indexes showed that the hundred-bud weight, leaf area and yield in pruning treatment were significantly higher than those in unpruned treatment. ((The results of the analysis of tea tree growth indexes showed that the hundred-bud weight, leaf area, and yield in the pruning treatment were significantly higher than those in the unpruned treatment.))
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
- Line 25: in pruning treatment than in unpruned treatment ((in the pruning treatment than in the unpruned treatment)).
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
c- Line 31: while inhibited enzyme ((while inhibiting enzyme)).
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
2- Introduction
- Lines 75-77: ((However, there are few reports on the changes of rhizosphere soil enzymes and soil microbial communities of perennial plants such as tea trees as affected by physical stress of pruning)). Add references.
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
b- Line 77-81: ((In this study, we investigated the effects of pruning on tea tree growth, soil physicochemical properties, soil enzyme activities and microbial functional diversity of Wuyi rock tea Meizhan to reveal the effects of pruning stress on the root soil environment of tea tree with a view to provide a theoretical basis for health management of tea plantations)). Change to: In this study, we looked at the effects of pruning on tea tree growth, soil physicochemical properties, soil enzyme activities, and microbial functional diversity in Wuyi rock tea Meizhan. We did this to find out how pruning stress affects the root soil environment of tea trees and provide a theoretical basis for the health management of tea plantations.
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
3- Materials and methods
- In: 2.1. section the authors said that ((The tree age of "Meizhan" in the tea garden is 9 years, and the planting area is about 0.7 ha. The tea trees were 8 years old and had not been pruned before.)). How old is the tree, 9 years or 8 years?
Answer: Sorry we made this mistake. We revised it in the revised file.
- Section 2.4 (Li et al. (2008) [18].) remove (2008)
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
c- There are many methods that do not have references. References must be written at each method of action (for example: The activity of polyphenol oxidase was determined colorimetrically by pyrogallol. Catalase activity determined titration by potassium permanganate. Acid phosphatase activity was determined colorimetrically by disodium phenyl phosphate. The protease activity was determined colorimetrically by ninhydrin. The activities of asparaginase and glutaminase were determined colorimetrically by Nye's reagent. The activity of nitrate reductase was determined colorimetrically by phenol disulfonic acid).
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. These measurements of Soil enzyme activity refer to the laboratory manual of "Soil and environmental microbiology research method". The author has modified it in the Materials method.
Please put the Table (1) in its proper place in the text.
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. Table 1 is placed in the position of analysis of soil physicochemical properties in 3.2
4- Results
a- Figure 1: please give more details for the figure legend.
b- Provide a better figure instead of Figure 7 (c)
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
- Rephrase from Line 194- to Line 227.
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
5- Discussion:
a-- Some references are written incorrectly in the text. (Lines: 329, 334, 345 and 365)
After that renumbering the references list.
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
- Update your references (there is no any reference in 2023)!.
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
6- It is preferable to write a recommendation at the end of the research.
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. The author has made corresponding suggestions in the conclusion based on the results of this study.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The paper Effects of pruning on tea tree growth and its soil enzyme activity and microbial diversity aims to investigate the the effect of pruning on growth and soil environment of tea trees. The subject of the study is interesting and actual. However the study has several flaws that do not support the conclusions.
2. Materials and Methods do not adequately describe the sampling method used or the statistical methods used to analyse the data. There are important shortcomings in the methodology used. (i) There is no reference to soil sampling prior to pruning (ii) How were the plots divided? ramdomly? Before pruning the tea trees, could the soil between the plots be considered homogeneous? (iii) No reference is made to the date of soil sampling or soil sampling depth.
3. The results are poorly discussed and often the results do not support the conclusions drawn. E.g. (Line 171-173) "The contents of TN and TK in the MX were not significantly different from MC. This indicates that pruning could affect nutrient cycle in the rhizosphere soil of tea trees".
4. Discussion often do not support the conclusions or are not well articulated:
- Row 325-325 - "The results of this study showed (Fig. 2) that the hundred-bud weight, leaf area and yield of pruned treatment were significantly higher than those of unpruned treatment, but there were no significant differences in chlorophyll content and leaf nitrogen content. This suggested that the tea yield increased by increasing the number of shoots and leaf area after pruned".
- Row 331 - "In this study, it was shown that pruning significantly improved the soil's ability to absorb mineral elements, and soil pH also significantly increased (Table 1)".
- Line 364-365 - emphasises that "(...) indicating that pruned treatment enhanced the functional diversity of tea rhizosphere microorganisms (...)" but at Lines 376-378, it is concluded that "Due to the effect of tea leaf litter, the activities of some soil enzymes in tea rhizosphere soil were inhibited, especially those related to nitrogen metabolism, while the microbial diversity in tea rhizosphere soil also decreased".
The article should be submitted for english revision.
Author Response
The paper Effects of pruning on tea tree growth and its soil enzyme activity and microbial diversity aims to investigate the the effect of pruning on growth and soil environment of tea trees. The subject of the study is interesting and actual. However the study has several flaws that do not support the conclusions.
Answer: Sorry we made this mistake. We revised it in the revised file.
- Materials and Methods do not adequately describe the sampling method used or the statistical methods used to analyse the data. There are important shortcomings in the methodology used. (i) There is no reference to soil sampling prior to pruning (ii) How were the plots divided? ramdomly? Before pruning the tea trees, could the soil between the plots be considered homogeneous? (iii) No reference is made to the date of soil sampling or soil sampling depth.
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. This study was carried out in the same tea plantation, and each experimental treatment was randomly set with 3 replicates, which basically ensured the consistency of the experiment. As for the division of experimental site, soil sampling, sampling time and sampling depth, the author has made some additions in the material method.
- The results are poorly discussed and often the results do not support the conclusions drawn. E.g. (Line 171-173) "The contents of TN and TK in the MX were not significantly different from MC. This indicates that pruning could affect nutrient cycle in the rhizosphere soil of tea trees".
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
- Discussion often do not support the conclusions or are not well articulated:
- Row 325-325 - "The results of this study showed (Fig. 2) that the hundred-bud weight, leaf area and yield of pruned treatment were significantly higher than those of unpruned treatment, but there were no significant differences in chlorophyll content and leaf nitrogen content. This suggested that the tea yield increased by increasing the number of shoots and leaf area after pruned".
Answer: Sorry we made this mistake. We revised it in the revised file.
- Row 331 - "In this study, it was shown that pruning significantly improved the soil's ability to absorb mineral elements, and soil pH also significantly increased (Table 1)".
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
- Line 364-365 - emphasises that "(...) indicating that pruned treatment enhanced the functional diversity of tea rhizosphere microorganisms (...)" but at Lines 376-378, it is concluded that "Due to the effect of tea leaf litter, the activities of some soil enzymes in tea rhizosphere soil were inhibited, especially those related to nitrogen metabolism, while the microbial diversity in tea rhizosphere soil also decreased".
Answer: Sorry we made this mistake. I'm sorry for the author's oversight. We have made changes to the unit in the revised file.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Thanks for your responses.
Author Response
Thank you for your review.
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear authors,
Thank you for submitting a revised version of your article “Effects of pruning on tea tree growth and its soil enzyme activity and microbial diversity”. However, I regret to inform you that the document still has relevant shortcomings. The document does not fully support the conclusions, leaving the reader with some serious doubts. Please note the attached comments.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Extensive editing of English language is still required.
Author Response
- line 161, Was it be expected?
MX growth (bud weight, leaf area and yield) were stimulated with pruning.
Activity of enzimes related to nitrogen cycle were reduced in pruned trees rhizosphere.
The AN was significantly lower in MX rhizosphere.
There were no differences in the applied fertilization between pruned and unpruned trees.
Wasn't it expected that nitrogen content on MX leaves to be lower than in MC leaves?
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion.
There have been numerous studies on how pruning can promote the growth of tea trees. Generally, soil enzyme activity is stimulated and increased to enhance nutrient cycle in the soil, when fertilizer is deficient, whereas it is relatively low when fertilizer is adequate. In this study, tea trees was treated with fertilizer after pruning to provide a sufficient nitrogen source for tea tree growth, at this time, there were sufficient nutrients in the soil, and it was the soil environment that tea trees needed to improve in order to facilitate their own growth; further research found that after pruning, the polyphenol oxidase and catalase activities in the rhizosphere soil of tea trees were enhanced, which provided a good environment for tea tree to absorb nitrogen and ensure its own growth. Secondly, the reduced available nitrogen content in the soil after pruning proved that the tea tree has a high demand for nitrogen, but the available nitrogen present in the soil was sufficient for the growth of the tea tree (reaching the first level standard of soil fertility stipulated by the Chinese state), therefore, the enzyme activity related to nitrogen cycle in the soil did not need to be increased. At this point, the nitrogen content in the leaves of the pruned treatment trees should theoretically be higher than that the unpruned treatment, but, due to the increased yield and leaf area of the pruned tea tree, this result was no significant difference in nitrogen content of the leaves, converted per unit area, between the pruned and unpruned treatment.
- line 232, phenolis did not differ significantly. Was it expected?
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. The results were found through carbon source utilization efficiency analysis.
- line266, Figure 7 C: OPLS-DA loading diagram of MX and MC carbon source utilization; D: Heat maps of carbon source utilization by MX and MC. Where are the legend of this graphic?
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We revised it in the revised file.
4.line 281, iconic acid?
Answer: Sorry we made this mistake. We revised it in the revised file. It is itaconic acid.
- line 313 , where the roots analysed or the soil in the rhizosphere?
Answer: Sorry we made this mistake. We revised it in the revised file. It is the soil in the rhizosphere.
- line324, which substances that are responsible for soil acidification were degradated?
Answer: Thank you for this constructive suggestion. Some acidophilic soil microorganisms can degrade acidic substances in soil.
- line 363, If the allelopathic substances released by the litter of pruned tea trees reduced the activity of soil enzimes related to nitrogen metabolism and there were no differences between the fertilization of pruned and unpruned tea trees, how to explain the observed differences in growth and yield between pruned and unpruned tea trees?
Answer: Thank you for your constructive suggestion. It may be because the tea tree was stimulated by exogenous factors after pruning, and absorbed mineral elements efficiently, resulting in increased yield. For example, Mg or Mn could promote the enhancement of photosynthesis in tea trees. At the same time, the content of available nitrogen in rhizosphere soil decreased significantly under the pruning treatment, indicating that tea trees absorbed more nitrogen. All these factors could lead to pruning promoting the growth and yield of tea tree.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 3
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors,
Thank you for your efforts to clarify your study in order to make it clearer and more objective for the reader.
The answers to the questions posed in the last review clarify some of the doubts that arose from reading the article. I suggest that your answers to the questions be used in the construction of the text of the article, facilitating the reader's understanding of the processes involved in the assimilation of nitrogen and amino compounds in pruned tea trees.
I believe that with the inclusion of the discussion presented in the answers to the questions posed, the article is in a form that meets the minimum conditions for publication.
I thank you once again for your effort and understanding.
Author Response
Thank you for this constructive suggestion. We have added relevant contents in the discussion section, please refer to the article for specific supplementary contents.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 4
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors,
Thank you for your effort.
The article quality has improved and the discussion is now more clear.
Best regards
