Ecological stoichiometric characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus in leaves, stems and roots of Haloxylon ammodendron in southern Gurbantunggut Desert and their relationship with soil factors

In order to explore the stoichiometric characteristics of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) of Haloxylon ammodendron on the south edge of Gurbantungut Desert, and to reveal the adaptability of desert plants to nutrient utilization in barren habitats, this study took the south edge of Gurbantungut Desert in Xinjiang as a typical area. The contents of N and P in leaves, stems and roots of H. ammodendron were measured and analyzed, and the correlation between the ecological stoichiometry of N and P in organs and soil factors was discussed, as well as the influence of the samples and organs. The results showed as follows: (1) There were significant differences in N content, P content and N:P among different organs of H. ammodendron, and the trend of each index was roughly the same. The general trend was higher in leaves, followed by stems and roots. (2) Correlation analysis showed that N content in all organs of H. ammodendron was positively correlated with soil total nitrogen. P content in leaves and roots was significantly positively correlated with soil total P, while P content in stems was significantly negatively correlated with soil total P. P content in all organs was negatively correlated with soil N:P. The contents of N, P and N:P in different organs were negatively correlated with soil pH and electrical conductivity. (3) General linear model analysis showed that organs had great influence on N content, P content and N:P of H. ammodendron.