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Apolygus lucorum is one of the most important piercing-sucking insect pests of tea plant. In this study, we assessed the impact of intercropping young tea plants with garden pea Pisum sativum on the populations of A. lucorum and natural enemies, tea plant growth and metabolites, and soil nutrient status of tea plantation. Intercropping with flowering P. sativum var. arvense reduced the population density of A. lucorum, particularly between June 1, 2020, and June 15, 2021, with a peak reduction of 90.87%. The percentage of A. lucorum-damaged tea leaves in the tea-pea intercropping was also reduced, with the maximum reduction of 8.96% observed on June 15, 2021, in the intercropping group compared to the control. The tea-P. arvense intercrop had a minor impact on the populations of natural enemies, such as coccinellids, parasitoids, and syrphids in the tea plantations. The tea-pea intercropping increased the contents of soluble sugar, tea polyphenols, caffeine, and anthocyanins, and decreased the contents of free amino acids and catechins of the tea plant leaves, and finally improved the quality of tea. Effective phosphorus and quick acting potassium decreased significantly in the plots intercropped. Our research indicated that tea-pea intercropping has the potential to manipulate the population of A. lucorum and tea leaf damage, and improve tea quality, while also enhancing soil fertility in tea plantations. The findings from this study offer important insights into the use of intercropping as a sustainable agricultural practice.

来源平台：JOURNAL OF PLANT DISEASES AND PROTECTION