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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2015, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (5): 44-52.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150506

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Effects of Haloxylon ammodendron planting on soil physico-chemical properties and soil microorganisms in sandy dunes

XI Jun-Qiang1, 2, YANG Zi-Hui1, 2, *, GUO Shu-Jiang1, WANG Qiang-Qiang1, ZHANG Jian-Hui1, WANG Duo-Ze1   

  1. 1.Gansu Minqin National Field Observation & Research Station on Ecosystem of Desert Grassland, Minqin 733300, China;
    2.College of Forestry, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Received:2014-11-25 Online:2015-05-20 Published:2015-05-20

Abstract: In this research, the soil microbe populations, soil physical and chemical properties, and the correlation between microbe populations and soil properties of a 20-year old Haloxylon ammodendron plantation in sandy dunes and moving sandy dunes in Minqin were studied. The research aimed to explore the influence of H. ammodendron planting on soil formation on sand dunes and provide a scientific basis for desert land management in arid areas. The results showed that soil in the H. ammodendron plantation was much improved. Soil clay, silt and fine sand contents were increased 71.51%, 70.64%and 12.09%, respectively, compared to nearby unplanted areas. The contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, hydrolytic nitrogen, potassium, available phosphorus and CaCO3 were increased as well. In addition, the quantities of bacteria and actinomycetes were increased by 38.43% and 32.52%, respectively, while presence of fungi was decreased by 75.38%. Soil alkalinity was also reduced. Soil moisture contents were reduced which can be attributed to transpiration withdrawal of water by H. ammodendron in the 50-100 cm soil depth. Soil microbe populations were highly correlated with soil physical and chemical properties, especially fungi and actinomycetes, which showed a strong negative correlation with pH value (P<0.05); and soil organic matter level displayed an obvious positive correlation with numbers of bacteria and fungi (P<0.05). Soil microbe quantities have a linear relationship with soil particle size and soil moisture content but without significance (P>0.05). In summary, H. ammodendron plantating improves soil physical structure, increases soil fertility and accelerates the process of soil formation.