Effects of a desert plant-specific organic fertilizer on Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings

To discover the effects of a desert plant-specific organic fertilizer on the germination of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings and the dynamic changes of the Na+ and K+ accumulation in the plant during seedling growth, we applied a desert plant organic fertilizer to H. ammodendron seedlings at Yabulai Town and Duguitala Town, China, in 2015. Desert plant organic fertilizer can significantly promote seed germination(P<0.05), and in Yabulai Town the plant height, main stem diameter, main stemnode number, and branch number all increased significantly (P<0.05). In Duguitala Town, the plant height, crown diameter, and main stem diameter significantly increased. The accumulation of Na+ in the shoot increased significantly in both places (P<0.05); Na+ accumulation can enhance H. ammodendron’s drought resistance. Desert plant organic fertilizer can also increase the accumulation of organic matter in rhizosphere soil. However, the accumulation of Na+ in H. ammodendron’s rhizosphere soil was not significantly increased. The desert plant-specific organic fertilizer had positive effects on seedling growth, seedling strength, seedling protection, and soil improvement.