Is salinity the main ecological factor that influences foliar nutrient resorption of desert plants in a hyper-arid environment?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Soil salinity is a major abiotic constraint to plant growth and development in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. However, the influence of soil salinity on the process of nutrient resorption is not well known. We measured the pools of both mature and senesced leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) of desert plants from two types of habitats with contrasting degrees of soil salinity in a hyper-arid environment of northwest China.

Results

N, P, K revealed strict resorption, whereas Na accumulated in senesced leaves. The resorption efficiencies of N, P, and K were positively correlated with each other but not with Na accumulation. The degree of leaf succulence drives both intra-and interspecific variation in leaf Na concentration

SUBMITTER: Wang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7539515 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature