Sodium compound fertilizer improved drought resistance of Haloxylon ammodendron in desert area

Abstract: In this paper, the effects of sodium compound fertilizer on growth and drought tolerance of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings in Alxa desert region, China, were investigated. Compared with control and N， P fertilizer, Na compound fertilizer increased plant height by 55% and 77%, crown diameter by 345% and 229%, main stem diameter by 57% and 72%, main root diameter by 63% and 57%, main root length by 89% and 51%, branch quantities by 83% and 99%, dry matter weight by 343% and 307%, shoot Na+ content by 107% and 110%, whole plant Na+ content by 80% and 85% and whole plant Na+/K+ by 79% and 89%, respectively; however, K+ content maintained stable. Above interesting findings suggested that abundant Na+ absorbed by root contributes to osmotic regulation and improved water uptake capability, hence growth and drought tolerance of H. ammodendron were improved by applying Na compound fertilizer.