Effects of sand burial on survival and growth of Artemisia
halodendron and its physiological response |
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| Authors: | HaLin Zhao Hao Qu RuiLian Zhou JianYing Yun and Jin Li |
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| Institution: | 1. Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
2. Faculty of Life Sciences, Ludong University, Yantai, Shandong 264025, China |
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| Abstract: | There is a great deal of literature on the effects of sand burial upon the survival and growth of desert plants, but the
physiological adaption mechanisms of desert plants to sand burial have as yet rarely been studied. Artemisia halodendron
is widely distributed in the semi-arid deserts of China and is a dominant species in semi-moving dune vegetation. The
growth and physiological properties of A. halodendron seedlings under different sand burial depths were studied in 2010
and 2011 in the Horqin Sand Land, Inner Mongolia, to better understand the ability and physiological mechanism by which
desert plants withstand sand burial. The results showed that A. halodendron as a prammophyte species had a stronger
ability to withstand sand burial compared to non-prammophytes, with some plants still surviving even if buried to a depth
reaching 225% of seedling height. Although seedling growth was inhibited significantly once the depth of sand burial
reached 50% of the seedling height, seedling survival did not decrease significantly until the burial depth exceeded 100%
of the seedling height. Sand burial did not result in significant water stress or MDA (Malondialdehyde) accumulation in the
seedlings, but membrane permeability increased significantly when the burial depth exceeded 100% of the seedling height.
After being subjected to sand burial stress, POD (Peroxidase) activity and proline content increased significantly, but SOD
(Superoxide Dismutase) and POD activities and soluble sugar content did not. The primary mechanism resulting in increased
mortality and growth inhibition were that cell membranes were damaged and photosynthetic area decreased when
subjected to the severe stress of sand burial, while proline and POD played key roles in osmotic adjustment and protecting
cell membranes from damage, respectively. |
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| Keywords: | desert shrub sand burial survival rate growth physiological response |
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