Nutrient resorption or accumulation of desert plants with contrasting sodium regulation strategies

Abstract

Desert plants are thought to rely more heavily on nutrient resorption due to the infertile soil. However, little is known regarding the phylogenetic effects on this traits, specifically for halophytes. Here we determined contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in 36 desert plants in a hyper-arid environment. The patterns of resorption or accumulation of the six elements were compared among plant groups with diverse leaf Na regulation strategies: i.e., euhalophytes (Eu), secretohalophytes (Se), pseudohalophytes (Ps) and glycophytes (Gl). Overall, N, P, K presented strict resorption across all groups, but no more efficient than global estimations. Ca and Mg tended to be resorbed less or accumulated during leaf senescence. Significant phylogenetic signal of both leaf Na content and plant group implies the pivotal role of Na regulation in the adaptation of plants to desert environment. Resorption proficiency, rather than resorption efficiency, is more phylogenetically conservative and more relevant to leaf functional traits.