Abstract: Soil acidification is widespread in Chinese tea gardens, emerging as a primary factor affecting soil health of tea garden and the high-quality and high-yield production of tea. We analyzed the current status, mechanisms, causes, and regulatory approaches of soil acidification in tea gardens, as well as its impacts on the cultivation environment of tea plants, tea quality and yield, and the geochemistry of tea plants. Soil acidification can affect the physical and chemical properties, mineral nutrient elements, harmful elements, and microorganisms in the soil. It might hinder the absorption of mineral nutrients and promote the accumulation of harmful elements in tea plants, thereby affecting tea plant growth and ultimately reducing the yield and quality of tea, as well as raising the health risks associated with harmful elements in tea products. Future research on soil acidification should focus on strengthening tea plant variety breeding, tea cultivation management measures, and the biogeochemical cycles of mineral nutrients and harmful elements.

Key words: mineral nutrient element, harmful element, soil microorganism, soil physical and chemical properties, soil acidification, tea plant