Characteristics of the clonal propagation of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. (Fabaceae) under different groundwater depths in Xinjiang, China
Dongwei Gui A B C D , Fanjiang Zeng A B C D , Zhen Liu B and Bo Zhang A B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
B Cele National Station of Observation & Research for Desert Grassland Ecosystem in Xinjiang, Cele 848300, Xinjiang, China.
C Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
D Corresponding authors. Emails: guidwei@163.com; zengfj@ms.xjb.ac.cn
The Rangeland Journal 35(3) 355-362 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ13004
Submitted: 8 August 2012 Accepted: 15 May 2013 Published: 12 July 2013
Abstract
Clonal reproduction of plants commonly occurs in arid areas because seedling establishment is rare in such severe environments. The features of clonal architecture differ not only among plant species but also within the same species growing in different environments. The characteristics of clonal propagation of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. (Fabaceae), growing on the margins of Cele Oasis on the southern rim of the Taklamakan Desert, were investigated in September 2010. The study was conducted on three sites with different groundwater depths (2.5, 4.5, and 11.0 m). The results showed that the root suckering depth and the ability to expand and the biomass of coarse lateral roots of A. sparsifolia significantly increased when the groundwater depth increased. Moreover, the vegetative regeneration capacity of A. sparsifolia significantly declined with increasing groundwater depth, and the canopy cover at the site with a groundwater depth of 2.5 m was significantly greater than at the other two sites. There was no difference in aboveground biomass at the three sites. In such hyper-arid environments with a scarcity of soil nutrients, it was demonstrated that groundwater depth plays an important role in the clonal growth and propagation traits of A. sparsifolia. Increases in the groundwater depth as a result of over-use of oasis water for irrigation could lead to reduced populations of this important species in the interfaces between oases and the surrounding desert.
Additional keywords: hyper-arid, oases, root suckering, shrubs, vegetative reproduction.
References
Bleby, T. M., Mcelrone, A. J., and Jackson, R. B. (2010). Water uptake and hydraulic redistribution across large woody root systems to 20 m depth. Plant, Cell & Environment 33, 2132–2148.| Water uptake and hydraulic redistribution across large woody root systems to 20 m depth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boot, R. G. A., and Mensink, M. (1990). Size and morphology of root systems of perennial grasses from contrasting habitats as affected by nitrogen supply. Plant and Soil 129, 291–299.
| Size and morphology of root systems of perennial grasses from contrasting habitats as affected by nitrogen supply.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXht1Srsr8%3D&md5=e80f83d6e7cb6d0d3200e644a1b5164eCAS |
Borch, K., Bouma, T. J., Lynch, J. P., and Brown, K. M. (1999). Ethylene: a regulator of root architectural responses to soil phosphorus availability. Plant, Cell & Environment 22, 425–431.
| Ethylene: a regulator of root architectural responses to soil phosphorus availability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjvFShsLo%3D&md5=79590ad01a4fb7ae5d699e81dbf80780CAS |
Burgess, S. S. O., Adams, M. A., Turner, N. C., and Ong, C. K. (1998). The redistribution of soil water by tree root systems. Oecologia 115, 306–311.
| The redistribution of soil water by tree root systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burgess, S. S. O., Adams, M. A., Turner, N. C., White, D. A., and Ong, C. K. (2001). Tree roots: conduits for deep recharge of water. Oecologia 126, 158–165.
| Tree roots: conduits for deep recharge of water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dong, M. (1993). Morphological plasticity of the clonal herb Lamiastrum galeohdolon (L.) Ehrend. & Polatschek in response to partial shading. New Phytologist 124, 291–300.
| Morphological plasticity of the clonal herb Lamiastrum galeohdolon (L.) Ehrend. & Polatschek in response to partial shading.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dong, M., During, H. J., and Werger, M. J. A. (1996). Morphological responses to nutrient availability in four clonal herbs. Vegetatio 123, 183–192.
| Morphological responses to nutrient availability in four clonal herbs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gries, D., Foetzki, A., Arndt, S. K., Bruelheide, H., Thomas, F. M., Zhang, X., and Rungel, M. (2005). Production of perennial vegetation in an oasis-desert transition zone in NW China-allometric estimation, and assessment of flooding and use effects. Plant Ecology 181, 23–43.
| Production of perennial vegetation in an oasis-desert transition zone in NW China-allometric estimation, and assessment of flooding and use effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Guerrero-Campo, J., Palacio, S., Pérez-Rontomé, C., and Monserrat-Martí, G. (2006). Effect of root system morphology on root-sprouting and shoot-rooting abilities in 123 plant species from eroded lands in North-east Spain. Annals of Botany 98, 439–447.
| Effect of root system morphology on root-sprouting and shoot-rooting abilities in 123 plant species from eroded lands in North-east Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16790468PubMed |
Gui, D. W., Lei, J. Q., Zeng, F. J., Mu, G. J., Zhu, J. T., and Wang, H. (2010). Characterizing variations in soil particle size distribution in oasis farmlands—a case study of the Cele Oasis. Mathematical and Computer Modelling 51, 1306–1311.
| Characterizing variations in soil particle size distribution in oasis farmlands—a case study of the Cele Oasis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gui, D. W., Wu, Y. W., Zeng, F. J., Yang, F. X., and Lei, J. Q. (2011). Study on the oasification process and its effects on soil particle distribution in the south rim of the Tarim Basin, China in recent 30 years. Procedia Environmental Sciences 3, 69–74.
| Study on the oasification process and its effects on soil particle distribution in the south rim of the Tarim Basin, China in recent 30 years.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huber-Sannwald, E., Pyke, D. A., and Caldwell, M. M. (1997). Perception of neighbouring plants by rhizomes and roots: morphological manifestations of a clonal plant. Canadian Journal of Botany 75, 2146–2157.
| Perception of neighbouring plants by rhizomes and roots: morphological manifestations of a clonal plant.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huber-Sannwald, E., Pyke, D. A., Caldwell, M. M., and Durham, S. (1998). Effects of nutrient patches and root systems on the clonal plasticity of a rhizomatous grass. Ecology 79, 2267–2280.
| Effects of nutrient patches and root systems on the clonal plasticity of a rhizomatous grass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hyǒn, I., and Schreurs, M. A. (2007). ‘The environmental dimension of Asian security: conflict and cooperation over energy, resources, and pollution.’ (United States Institute of Peace: Washington, DC.)
Ikegami, M., Whigham, D. F., and Werger, M. J. A. (2007). Responses of rhizome length and ramet production to resource availability in the clonal sedge Scirpus olneyi A. Gray. Plant Ecology 189, 247–259.
| Responses of rhizome length and ramet production to resource availability in the clonal sedge Scirpus olneyi A. Gray.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jackson, R. B., and Caldwell, M. M. (1989). The timing and degree of root proliferation in fertile-soil microsites for three cold-desert perennials. Oecologia 81, 149–153.
Jackson, J. B. C., Buss, L. W., and Cook, R. E. (1985). ‘Population Biology and Evolution of Clonal Organisms.’ (Yale University Press: New Haven, CT.)
Li, F., Bao, W. K., Wu, K., and You, C. (2008). Growth, biomass partitioning, and water-use efficiency of a leguminous shrub (Bauhinia faberi var. microphylla) in response to various water availabilities. New Forests 36, 53–65.
| Growth, biomass partitioning, and water-use efficiency of a leguminous shrub (Bauhinia faberi var. microphylla) in response to various water availabilities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Li, H., Zeng, F. J., Gui, D., Zhang, L., Song, C., Luo, W., and Peng, S. (2012). Effects of cutting and burning on regeneration of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. on the southern fringe of the Taklamakan Desert, North-west China. The Rangeland Journal 34, 389–397.
| Effects of cutting and burning on regeneration of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. on the southern fringe of the Taklamakan Desert, North-west China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nielsen, K. L., Lynch, J. P., and Weiss, H. N. (1997). Fractal geometry of bean root systems correlations between spatial and fractal dimension. American Journal of Botany 84, 26–33.
| Fractal geometry of bean root systems correlations between spatial and fractal dimension.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MnlvVSlsw%3D%3D&md5=88cb4260bf9863a728a025ca8674779dCAS | 11539495PubMed |
Price, E. A. C., and Marshall, C. (1999). Clonal plants and environmental heterogeneity. Plant Ecology 141, 3–7.
| Clonal plants and environmental heterogeneity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ryser, P. (2006). The mysterious root length. Plant and Soil 286, 1–6.
| The mysterious root length.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xps1WisrY%3D&md5=135428b3b891962bea4f4838b5590926CAS |
Schier, G. A., Jones, J. R., and Winokur, R. P. (1985). Vegetative regeneration. In ‘Aspen Ecology and Management in the Western United States’. US Department of Agriculture Forest Service General Technical Report RM-119. (Eds N. V. DeByle and R. P. Winokur.) pp. 11–13. (US Forest Service: Ft. Collins, CO.)
Siebert, S., Gries, D., Zhang, X., Runge, M., and Buerkert, A. (2004). Non-destructive dry matter estimation of Alhagi sparsifolia vegetation in a desert oasis of Northwest China. Journal of Vegetation Science 15, 365–372.
Steele, S. J., Gower, S. T., Vogel, J. G., and Norman, J. M. (1997). Root mass, net primary production and turnover in aspen, jack pine and black spruce forests in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada. Tree Physiology 17, 577–587.
| Root mass, net primary production and turnover in aspen, jack pine and black spruce forests in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXntl2jsrc%3D&md5=bc99a6e5a2a3e9a3eba18ccb2cc949e0CAS | 14759831PubMed |
Stuefer, J. F. (1996). Potential and limitations of current concepts regarding the response of clonal plants to environmental herterogeneity. Vegetatio 127, 55–70.
| Potential and limitations of current concepts regarding the response of clonal plants to environmental herterogeneity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tatsumi, J., Yamauchi, A., and Kono, Y. (1989). Fractal analysis of plant root systems. Annals of Botany 64, 499–503.
Thomas, F. M., Arndt, S. K., Bruelheide, H., Foetzki, A., Gries, D., Huang, J., Popp, M., Wang, G., Zhang, X., and Runge, M. (2000). Ecological basis for a sustainable management of the indigenous vegetation in a Central-Asian desert: presentation and first results. Journal of Applied Botany 74, 212–219.
Thomas, F. M., Foetzki, A., Gries, D., Bruelheide, H., Li, X. Y., Zeng, F. J., and Zhang, X. M. (2008). Regulation of the water status in three co-occurring phreatophytes at the southern fringe of the Taklamakan Desert. Journal of Plant Ecology 1, 227–235.
| Regulation of the water status in three co-occurring phreatophytes at the southern fringe of the Taklamakan Desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vonlanthen, B., Zhang, X., and Bruelheide, H. (2010). On the run for water-root growth of two phreatophytes in the Taklamakan Desert. Journal of Arid Environments 74, 1604–1615.
| On the run for water-root growth of two phreatophytes in the Taklamakan Desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vonlanthen, B., Zhang, X., and Bruelheide, H. (2011). Establishment and early survival of five phreatophytes of the Taklamakan Desert. Flora 206, 100–106.
| Establishment and early survival of five phreatophytes of the Taklamakan Desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wiehle, M., Eusemann, P., Thevs, N., and Schnittler, M. (2009). Root suckering patterns in Populus euphratica (Euphrates poplar, Salicaceae). Trees 23, 991–1001.
| Root suckering patterns in Populus euphratica (Euphrates poplar, Salicaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilcox, C. S., Ferguson, J. W., Fernandez, G. C. J., and Nowak, R. S. (2004). Fine root growth dynamics of four Mojave Desert shrubs as related to soil moisture and microsite. Journal of Arid Environments 56, 129–148.
| Fine root growth dynamics of four Mojave Desert shrubs as related to soil moisture and microsite.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yang, H. L., Huang, Z. Y., Baskin, C. C., Baskin, J. M., Cao, Z. P., Zhu, X. Z., and Dong, W. (2009). Responses of caryopsis germination, early seedling growth and ramet clonal growth of Bromus inermis to soil salinity. Plant and Soil 316, 265–275.
| Responses of caryopsis germination, early seedling growth and ramet clonal growth of Bromus inermis to soil salinity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsFOks7k%3D&md5=3889c1db28be91a6a3a59d6c1e92de55CAS |
Zeng, F. J., Zhang, X. M., Foetzki, A., Li, X. Y., Li, X. M., and Runge, M. (2002). Water relation characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia and consequences for a sustainable management. Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences 45, 125–131.
| Water relation characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia and consequences for a sustainable management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zeng, F. J., Bleby, T. M., Landman, P. A., Adams, M. A., and Arndt, S. K. (2006). Water and nutrient dynamics in surface roots and soils are not modified by short-term flooding of phreatophytic plants in a hyperarid desert. Plant and Soil 279, 129–139.
| Water and nutrient dynamics in surface roots and soils are not modified by short-term flooding of phreatophytic plants in a hyperarid desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhsVaruro%3D&md5=34863a20350524789c582ab58a2f9fe0CAS |
Zeng, F. J., Guo, H. F., Liu, B., Zeng, J., and Zhang, X. L. (2009). Response of ecological properties of roots of Alhagi sparsifolia SHAP. seedlings to different irrigation treatments. Arid Zone Research 26, 852–858.
| Response of ecological properties of roots of Alhagi sparsifolia SHAP. seedlings to different irrigation treatments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zeng, F. J., Lu, Y., Guo, H. F., Liu, B., Zeng, J., and Zhang, L. G. (2012). Ecological characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. seedling roots under different irrigation treatments. Russian Journal of Ecology 43, 196–203.
| Ecological characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. seedling roots under different irrigation treatments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
