Influence of spring and fall clipping on the leaf functional traits of Alhagi sparsifolia

This study taken Cele oasis at the southern fringe of Taklimakan Desert as the research area, and studied the influence of clipping at different seasons (clipping in spring and clipping in fall) on the leaf functional traits of Alhagi sparsifolia.The results showed that the specific leaf area of A. sparsifolia increased obviously after clipping processing (P<0.01), and the increased degree was higher for clipping in spring compared with clipping in fall. The dry matter content of leaf decreased significantly (P<0.01), while no evident difference between clipping in spring and fall(P>0.05). Each treatment had a little influence on the carbon content and chlorophyll a/b. Compared clipping in spring with control and clipping in fall, the indexes of total N content, N∶P, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content increased significantly (P<0.05). By taking the leaf functional traits as an indicator of plant adaption to the environment, we concluded that clipping may cause the declination of the ability to preserve nutrition and the resources use efficiency of A. sparsifolia. However, in terms of economic benefit, clipping in fall can produce a positive effect on the biomass of A. sparsifolia. Therefore, when minimum destruction and livestock forage supply of A. sparsifolia were considered together, we recommend that clipping in fall was recognized as a proper management and use strategy for A.sparsifolia.