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Haloxylon ammodendron

Haloxylon ammodendron, commonly known as saxaul, is a xerophytic perennial shrub or small tree in the family Amaranthaceae that dominates arid desert ecosystems across Central Asia.^[1]^[2]
Adapted to extreme drought, high salinity, and shifting sands through deep root systems and physiological tolerances, it functions as a key stabilizer of dunes, mitigating wind erosion and facilitating soil improvement in fragile environments.^[3]^[4]^[5]
Native to regions including northwestern China, the Gobi Desert, and former Soviet Central Asian territories, its plantations are extensively employed in afforestation projects to combat desertification, though overexploitation for fuelwood and grazing has locally depleted stands.^[6]^[7]^[8]
Research highlights its seed polymorphism as a strategy for germination and establishment in unpredictable conditions, underscoring its resilience and ecological value despite no global endangered status.^[2]^[8]

Taxonomy and Classification

Etymology and Synonyms

The binomial name Haloxylon ammodendron reflects its ecological adaptations. The genus Haloxylon combines the Greek hals (ἅλς), meaning "salt," with xylon (ξύλον), meaning "wood," denoting the plant's characteristic tolerance for saline conditions in arid environments.^[9] The specific epithet ammodendron derives from Greek ammos (ἄμμος), "sand," and dendron (δένδρον), "tree," highlighting its prevalence in sandy desert habitats. Originally described as Anabasis ammodendron by Carl Anton Meyer in the mid-19th century, the species was later transferred to Haloxylon by Alexander von Bunge ex Eduard Fenzl. Accepted synonyms include Arthrophytum ammodendron (C.A.Mey.) Litv., Arthrophytum haloxylon Litv., and Haloxylon ammodendron var. aphyllum (Minkw.) Iljin, reflecting historical taxonomic reclassifications within the Amaranthaceae family as understandings of phylogenetic relationships evolved.^[10]^[11]

Phylogenetic Position

Haloxylon ammodendron belongs to the genus Haloxylon in the family Amaranthaceae, order Caryophyllales.^[10] This classification reflects the integration of the former family Chenopodiaceae into Amaranthaceae based on molecular phylogenetic evidence from chloroplast rbcL gene sequences, which demonstrated their monophyly as a subclade within the broader Amaranthaceae sensu lato.^[12] Within Amaranthaceae, Haloxylon is positioned in the tribe Salsoleae sensu stricto, a monophyletic subunit of the larger Salsoleae s.l. group in subfamily Salsoloideae, supported by analyses of nuclear ITS, chloroplast psbB-psbH, and rbcL sequences across 52 species.^[13] Phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that Haloxylon forms a well-supported clade, often sister to genera such as Girgensohnia in ITS-based trees, highlighting its evolutionary ties to other arid-adapted chenopods.^[14] Multi-gene studies further affirm its placement amid C4 photosynthetic lineages in Salsoleae, though H. ammodendron exhibits traits consistent with this syndrome, including Kranz anatomy, amid the tribe's diversification in xerophytic habitats.^[15] Recent plastome phylogenies reinforce Haloxylon's deep rooting within Caryophyllales, with H. ammodendron branching alongside relatives like Halothamnus and Anabasis in molecular trees derived from complete chloroplast genomes.^[16] These positions derive from parsimony and likelihood methods applied to sequence data, underscoring the genus's adaptation to desert environments as a derived trait within the chenopod lineage, distinct from earlier diverging Amaranthaceae clades.^[17]

Morphology and Reproduction

Vegetative Structure

Haloxylon ammodendron exhibits a vegetative structure adapted to extreme aridity, featuring a robust root system, woody stems, and specialized photosynthetic branches with reduced foliage. The root system is extensive and dimorphic, comprising a deep taproot capable of reaching depths of up to 13.5 meters to access groundwater, complemented by lateral roots concentrated primarily in the upper 0–100 cm soil layer for nutrient uptake in young plants.^[18] This architecture facilitates survival in desert soils with limited precipitation, enabling efficient water acquisition from both deep aquifers and surface moisture.^[19] The stems are erect and woody, providing mechanical support and varying in basal diameter across terrains, such as approximately 0.03 meters in inter-dune lowlands.^[18] Branches are polymorphic, with assimilating branches serving as primary photosynthetic organs; these are vivid green in juveniles and become dull gray at maturity, often pendulous, and form a canopy with radii around 0.37 meters in low-resource sites.^[18] Leaves are highly reduced and degraded, typically scale-like and non-contributory to significant photosynthesis, which is instead performed by the chlorophyll-bearing cortex of the assimilating branches.^[18] This stem-dominated morphology reflects an evolutionary shift prioritizing water conservation over expansive leaf surfaces in hyper-arid environments.^[19]

Reproductive Biology

Haloxylon ammodendron is a dioecious species, featuring separate male and female individuals that produce unisexual flowers.^[20] Flowering typically occurs in July, with fruit maturation following in September.^[8] Male flowers produce pollen, while female flowers develop into fruits containing seeds enclosed by winged perianths that aid in dispersal.^[21] Pollination in H. ammodendron involves a mixed strategy of anemophily (wind pollination) and entomophily (insect pollination), with the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) identified as the primary insect pollinator.^[22] ^[23] Despite this, the species experiences pollen limitation in fragmented habitats, where supplemental hand-pollination has been shown to increase seed set by approximately 32%, indicating potential constraints on reproductive success due to pollinator visitation and pollen availability.^[22] ^[24] Fruits develop as utricles with persistent, winged perianths that facilitate wind-mediated seed dispersal, allowing mature seeds to spread across arid landscapes.^[25] H. ammodendron exhibits seed polymorphism, producing diaspores with varying perianth colors (e.g., yellow) that correspond to differential germination strategies, enhancing adaptability to unpredictable desert conditions during seedling establishment.^[2] ^[26] Sexual reproduction predominates, though limited vegetative propagation via buds on trunks or branches can occur in young plantations.^[27]

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Haloxylon ammodendron is native to the arid deserts of Central Asia, extending from the Caspian Sea region eastward through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to northwestern China and Mongolia. Its core distribution encompasses the Kyzylkum Desert (straddling Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan), Karakum Desert (Turkmenistan), and emerging habitats in the Aralkum Desert formed post-Aral Sea desiccation.^[6]^[7] In China, the species predominates in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, including the Junggar Basin, Kashgar region, northern Tarim Basin rim, and Taklamakan Desert fringes, as well as northern Gansu Province's Hexi Corridor and eastern Alxa League in Inner Mongolia.^[8]^[28] Populations here account for approximately 10% of the global range, thriving in inland continental deserts.^[28] Further east, H. ammodendron occupies all five ecoregions of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, particularly southern areas where it forms dense woodlands spanning millions of acres, stabilizing sandy substrates.^[29] Suitable habitats also extend to northern Tianshan Mountain slopes, upstream Amu Darya and Syr Darya river valleys, and vicinity of Lake Balkhash and Ili River, though density varies with soil salinity and dune fixation.^[7] The overall range reflects adaptation to hyper-arid zones with annual precipitation below 100 mm, absent from coastal or Mediterranean-influenced deserts.^[6]

Environmental Preferences

Haloxylon ammodendron thrives in arid and semi-arid desert climates of Central Asia, particularly in regions with low annual precipitation ranging from 25 to 200 mm, where it serves as a key stabilizer in dune ecosystems.^[30] These conditions include continental arid zones with extreme temperature fluctuations, such as average annual precipitation around 146 mm and marked seasonal variations in soil temperature and moisture.^[26] The plant prefers habitats with minimal surface water availability, relying on sporadic rainfall, dew formation, and deep soil moisture reserves to sustain growth.^[31] It favors well-drained aeolian sandy soils typical of desert lowlands and inter-dune areas, exhibiting strong tolerance to drought and salinity as a halophyte capable of enduring low soil water content in upper layers while accessing deeper aquifers.^[32] ^[33] Soil salinity and pH levels in these environments often exceed thresholds lethal to less adapted species, yet H. ammodendron maintains viability through osmotic adjustments and salt exclusion mechanisms, with optimal performance in slightly alkaline to saline substrates.^[34] This adaptation limits its establishment to disturbed or mobile sand habitats where competition is low and wind erosion is prevalent.^[35]

Physiological Adaptations

Drought and Salinity Tolerance

Haloxylon ammodendron exhibits robust drought tolerance through osmotic adjustment mechanisms, accumulating compatible solutes such as soluble sugars (increasing by 116% after 24 hours under -0.75 MPa osmotic stress), glycine betaine (17% increase), and proline (30% increase) to maintain cellular turgor.^[36] It also elevates sodium ion (Na⁺) content in shoots by 68% under similar stress for osmotic balance, while upregulating antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase (POD) activity by 89% to mitigate reactive oxygen species damage.^[36] Leaf water potential can reach -2.85 MPa during extreme drought without loss of viability, supported by C4 photosynthetic pathways that sustain carbon assimilation under low water availability.^[37] The species withstands soil water contents as low as 1.0%, reflecting adaptations in hydraulic traits and nonstructural carbohydrate storage that prioritize survival over growth during prolonged aridity.^[36] Transcriptomic studies reveal upregulation of ion transporters (e.g., AKT1) and stress-responsive genes, including those in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, enhancing overall resilience in arid habitats with annual precipitation below 200 mm.^[36] Regarding salinity tolerance, H. ammodendron germinates effectively in NaCl concentrations up to 0.8 mol/L for certain diaspore types (e.g., 86% germination rate for yellow-pericarp diaspores), with seed coats compartmentalizing Na⁺ (ratio of 6.14 in coat to embryo) to shield embryos from ion toxicity.^[2]^[38] Recovery germination post-exposure to -3.13 MPa NaCl reaches 73%, indicating dormancy strategies that form persistent soil seed banks until salt levels decrease.^[38] Adults thrive in saline-alkali soils via metabolic reprogramming, including lignin biosynthesis for structural reinforcement and ion exclusion, outperforming co-occurring species like Tamarix under high electrical conductivity (EC) conditions.^[39]^[40] Overexpression of genes such as HaASR1 and HaASR2 in model plants confirms their role in conferring salt and drought tolerance through fatty acid metabolism and osmoprotectant accumulation.^[41]^[42]

Water and Nutrient Acquisition

Haloxylon ammodendron employs a dimorphic root system characterized by a deep taproot that extends to access groundwater and extensive lateral roots near the surface for opportunistic uptake, enabling survival in arid environments with limited precipitation. Mature plantations, aged 20–40 years, derive the majority of their water from permanent groundwater sources, while younger shrubs rely more on shallower soil moisture that diminishes over time.^[43] As soil water availability decreases, the species shifts reliance toward deeper profiles via the taproot, with over 90% of dry-season water sourced from groundwater or deep soil layers exceeding 2–3 meters.^[44]^[45] In addition to subterranean sources, H. ammodendron can absorb atmospheric water vapor through its assimilating branches under conditions of elevated air humidity, a mechanism facilitated by specialized water-storage tissues that enhance retention and uptake efficiency in hyper-arid regions. This foliar absorption is contingent on sufficient humidity levels, which are rare but critical during fog or dew events, supplementing root-derived water and reducing dependency on sporadic rainfall.^[46]^[47] Nutrient acquisition is similarly adapted to nutrient-poor, saline desert soils, with the extensive lateral root network facilitating uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) from surface layers, while the taproot accesses deeper reserves where leaching concentrates ions. Sodium (Na+) and silicon (Si) play roles in promoting growth and maintaining ion homeostasis, aiding overall nutrient balance under drought stress.^[48] Disturbances like rodent activity can alter soil nutrient stoichiometry, prompting physiological adjustments in uptake efficiency to sustain biomass accumulation.^[49] The species exhibits high water-use efficiency uncorrelated with foliar N, P, or K contents under varying precipitation, indicating intrinsic adaptations for conserving limited resources.^[50]

Ecological Interactions

Role in Desert Ecosystems

Haloxylon ammodendron functions as a keystone species in arid desert ecosystems of Central Asia, particularly in maintaining structural integrity and preventing desertification through sand stabilization. Its extensive root system and canopy architecture enable it to bind loose sand particles, intercept drifting sands, and reduce wind speeds, thereby mitigating erosion and facilitating the accumulation of finer soil particles essential for other plant establishment. In natural stands and plantations, it achieves plant cover exceeding 50%, forming protective barriers around oases that have decreased shifting sand coverage from 54.6% to 9.4% in treated areas.^[44]^[8] As a pioneer shrub, H. ammodendron enhances overall ecosystem function by improving soil quality, including increases in organic carbon and total nitrogen, which support vegetation succession and biodiversity preservation. It serves as a host for endangered parasitic species such as Cistanche deserticola and contributes to microclimate moderation by lowering air temperatures. Plantations of the species restructure detrital food webs, reducing ground arthropod abundance while boosting taxonomic richness and predator diversity, such as spiders and ants, thereby influencing trophic dynamics in desert-oasis ecotones.^[8]^[5]^[5] These roles underscore its vital contribution to ecosystem resilience, with studies indicating it controls wind erosion and regulates saline-alkali conditions biologically, promoting habitat suitability across approximately 489,800 km² of highly suitable desert terrain in northwest China as of recent assessments. Long-term plantations further safeguard agricultural oases by curbing sand encroachment, though shifts in arthropod communities suggest ongoing adaptations in biodiversity patterns.^[8]^[44]^[5]

Biotic Relationships

Haloxylon ammodendron forms symbiotic associations with soil microorganisms that enhance its adaptation to arid conditions. Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) isolated from its roots improve drought tolerance by facilitating nutrient uptake, particularly in sterilized soils where their effects are pronounced, and exhibit stronger benefits compared to non-sterilized environments.^[51] Root exudates from H. ammodendron seedlings regulate rhizosphere microbial communities, influencing bacterial diversity and contributing to symbiotic relationships that aid in stress response.^[52] Fungal hyphae colonizing assimilation branches represent an adaptive ecological process, supporting growth in extremely arid northwest China regions.^[53] Interactions with fauna include herbivory and disturbance by rodents such as the great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus), which feeds on the plant and alters rhizosphere microenvironments through burrowing, thereby increasing microbial diversity and affecting nutrient cycling.^[54] Rodent disturbances enhance crown width and branching in young and middle-aged individuals while inducing physiological responses like elevated proline and soluble sugar levels for osmotic adjustment.^[55] Plantations of H. ammodendron boost multi-trophic arthropod diversity, elevating predator and herbivore abundances while reducing omnivores, which supports overall soil multifunctionality in desert ecosystems.^[56] Interspecific plant relationships involve both competition and parasitism. Root-root interactions with conspecifics or other species modify physiological traits via exudates that correlate with rhizosphere bacteria and soil nutrients.^[57] The root parasite Cistanche deserticola engages in large-scale mRNA transfer with H. ammodendron, potentially influencing host gene expression and parasitic dynamics.^[58] Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi show variable colonization rates in H. ammodendron roots under differing water gradients, interacting with endophytes to modulate nutrient acquisition.^[59]

Threats and Conservation

Anthropogenic Pressures

Overgrazing by livestock constitutes a major threat to Haloxylon ammodendron populations, as it damages seedlings and prevents natural regeneration by compacting soil and consuming young shoots in arid habitats.^[8] ^[60] In regions like China's Gurbantunggut Desert, overgrazing combined with other factors has led to widespread degeneration of natural stands since the mid-20th century.^[61] Excessive deforestation and illegal logging for fuelwood, fencing, and construction materials have severely depleted H. ammodendron forests, particularly during periods of high demand in the 1970s and 1980s across Central Asia and northwestern China.^[60] ^[62] Over-exploitation stems from the species' economic value as a primary source of woody biomass in fuel-scarce desert environments, resulting in reduced stand density and accelerated desertification.^[63] Habitat conversion through agricultural expansion, urbanization, and groundwater extraction for irrigation further exacerbates pressures by altering hydrological regimes and fragmenting dune-stabilizing ecosystems.^[64] In the Alxa League of China, such activities have hindered natural regeneration, with human-induced land development contributing to ongoing declines in suitable habitats.^[65] These pressures are compounded by the plant's slow growth rate, making recovery challenging without intervention.^[66]

Environmental and Climatic Factors

Haloxylon ammodendron populations are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, particularly in Central Asia, where the species' habitats coincide with a global warming hotspot that amplifies aridity and temperature extremes.^[6] Model projections under future climate scenarios forecast substantial habitat loss, with the species likely to forfeit most of its current suitable ranges due to shifts in temperature and precipitation regimes.^[67] These alterations exacerbate drought stress, reducing soil water potential and impairing hydraulic conductivity in stems and leaves, which limits carbon assimilation and overall metabolic efficiency.^[4] Regional analyses in arid basins, such as the southern edge of the Junggar Basin, document climate-driven impacts including sharp temperature variability and diminished early-spring precipitation, which disrupt community structure by hindering seedling establishment and increasing mortality rates during critical growth phases.^[68] Precipitation patterns, including reductions in wet-season totals and heightened variability, further threaten long-term viability by depleting deep soil moisture reserves upon which mature plants depend, potentially surpassing replenishment thresholds in aging plantations.^[30] ^[69] Salinity intensification, linked to evaporative demands under warming conditions, compounds these pressures by lowering osmotic potentials in rhizosphere soils, restricting root water uptake despite the species' baseline tolerance.^[33] While some distribution models suggest potential expansions into newly suitable areas under moderate warming, prevailing evidence underscores contraction risks in core desert-oasis ecotones, where compounded stressors like elevated evapotranspiration outpace adaptive physiological limits.^[7] ^[6]

Restoration and Management Strategies

Haloxylon ammodendron plantations have been established across arid regions of Central Asia and China since the 1950s to combat desertification, with large-scale afforestation projects in the 1980s emphasizing no-irrigation techniques to stabilize shifting sands and restore degraded ecosystems.^[70]^[71] Strategic afforestation protocols prioritize water-efficient methods, such as water flushing with high-pressure injection during planting (achieving 85% survival rates) over mechanical hole digging, which yields higher mortality (up to 41% by 2023) and stunted growth due to poor soil adaptation.^[72] Planting spacings of 3 m × 4 m are standard, with water flushing promoting rapid biomass accumulation (total biomass 1718.69 ± 214.28 g per plant) biased toward phylloclades (63.95%) for enhanced photosynthesis, while soil moisture retention post-rainfall favors stem allocation (48.27%) for structural stability in windy conditions.^[72] Seedling propagation via community-based micro-nurseries has proven effective in regions like the Aral Sea basin, where locals cultivate saxaul seedlings in backyard bags filled with sand and organic fertilizer for one year, yielding up to 90% transplant survival by preserving intact root systems.^[73] These plantations reduce wind speeds by 20.5% within one year and nearly eliminate erosion after seven years, while sequestering approximately 5 tons of CO2 per hectare annually in 13-year-old stands.^[73] In Iran’s Sejzi Plain, pitcher irrigation during establishment outperforms alternatives like aquasorb polymers or plastic pit isolation, increasing sapling height by 84% and canopy diameter by 88% relative to unassisted planting, thereby accelerating biological rehabilitation against wind-driven desertification.^[71] For managing degraded stands, targeted interventions address degradation severity: canopy pruning optimizes water distribution in mildly affected trees, removal of secondary dead branches minimizes transpiration losses in moderate cases, and trunk cutting combined with sand barriers halts wind-sand abrasion in severely degraded forests, as validated by 2023 field trials showing improved survival and functional recovery.^[74] Isotope tracing reveals that degraded H. ammodendron shifts water reliance to deep roots for fine root repair, but restoration breaks this cycle by enhancing shallow water access and reducing net radiation-driven transpiration stress.^[74] Long-term management incorporates monitoring groundwater depth and tree age cohorts, as younger stands exhibit greater physiological resilience to depletion than mature ones, informing adaptive afforestation to sustain ecosystem services like sand fixation.^[75] Regional initiatives, such as Kazakhstan's plan for one million hectares of saxaul forest on the Aral Sea bed, integrate these techniques to scale restoration while conserving existing stands against overexploitation.^[76]

Human Utilization

Traditional and Economic Uses

Haloxylon ammodendron, known as saxaul, serves as a primary source of firewood for nomadic herders in Central Asia, valued for its dense wood that burns slowly and efficiently in fuel-scarce desert environments.^[77]^[78] The plant's spongy bark can be compressed to yield drinkable water, providing a critical hydration source for travelers traversing arid regions.^[29] Traditionally, young shoots and foliage function as nutritious fodder for camels and sheep, supporting livestock during seasonal shortages in steppe and desert grazing lands.^[77]^[78] The bark is also brewed into tea to alleviate symptoms of colds and influenza, reflecting its role in folk medicine among local populations.^[77] Furthermore, saxaul hosts the parasitic herb Cistanche deserticola, harvested for its pharmaceutical properties in treating conditions like infertility and fatigue in traditional Chinese medicine.^[79] Economically, the species contributes to regional livelihoods through fuelwood extraction and fodder provision, underpinning pastoral economies in countries such as Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan where it constitutes a key biomass resource.^[77] Its wood supports small-scale applications like meat smoking, imparting a distinctive flavor in local culinary practices.^[77] Overharvesting for these purposes has prompted conservation measures, as uncontrolled fuelwood collection depleted stands in parts of Turkmenistan during energy crises, such as the 2008 Central Asian cold snap.^[78]

Cultivation Techniques and Afforestation

Haloxylon ammodendron is primarily propagated by seeds, which display polymorphism that facilitates germination and establishment in arid conditions, with optimal rates achieved at 10°C under low salinity and minimal light influence.^[2]^[25] Seed dormancy can be broken via scarification, though natural opportunistic germination follows rainfall events from April to June.^[80] Cuttings from mature stems provide an alternative for clonal propagation, though seed-based methods dominate large-scale efforts due to genetic diversity needs in restoration.^[81] Nursery cultivation addresses water limitations constraining early growth, employing protocols such as controlled irrigation (e.g., 31.25 mm per seedling every 45 days) to yield robust 3-month-old transplants suitable for Gobi Desert afforestation, enhancing root development and drought tolerance.^[62]^[82] Pre-emergence irrigation post-sowing fixes sand and promotes swelling, with vertical root growth peaking at 0.809 cm/day in July under optimal conditions.^[83] Na-based fertilizers further boost biomass and water-use efficiency in saline nursery soils.^[84] In afforestation, none-watering tube-protecting techniques involve enclosing bare-root or containerized seedlings in plastic or sand tubes to buffer extreme surface temperatures (>50°C in top 0-2 cm), yielding >70% survival gains and >20% annual growth over unprotected planting.^[85] Vertical tube surface drip irrigation surpasses traditional surface methods by improving soil moisture retention (5-40 cm depth) and reducing temperatures, increasing seedling height by 61.3%, stem diameter by 45.1%, crown width by 44.4%, and dry biomass by 39.3%, with peak efficacy at 160 mm tube diameter buried 15 cm.^[86] Water-washing prior to planting elevates total biomass by 29-42% via enhanced establishment.^[72] Large-scale afforestation leverages these approaches for sand fixation and ecosystem stabilization, as in Uzbekistan's Aral Sea basin projects planting saxaul to mitigate dust storms and desertification since 2024.^[87] In China's Alxa League, H. ammodendron dominates desert restoration, though overgrazing and logging necessitate ongoing replanting; plantations accrue carbon stocks peaking mid-succession before age-related decline.^[65]^[88] Such efforts in Central Asia emphasize shelterbelts for windbreaks, with survival optimized by site-specific irrigation tapering after year one.^[7]

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Strategies for Adaptation of Suaeda physophora, Haloxylon ... - NIH
Seeds of halophytes can remain viable or germinate in salt solution, which indicates that seeds can resist salt stress to some extent, and sometimes they may be ...
[39]
Haloxylon Ammodendron Enhances Salinity Tolerance Via ...
Jun 14, 2025 · Haloxylon Ammodendron Enhances Salinity Tolerance Via Metabolic Reprogramming in Saline-Alkali Soils.
[40]
Survival and growth of three afforestation species under high saline ...
May 31, 2016 · Our results showed that Haloxylon ammodendron plants have the highest salt tolerance, followed by Calligonum aborescens plants, and Tamarix ...
[41]
Overexpression of HaASR1 from a Desert Shrub, Haloxylon ... - MDPI
Haloxylon ammodendron is a desert xero-halophyte shrub with a strong tolerance to drought and salt stresses. We previously reported that the drought tolerance ...
[42]
HaASR2 from Haloxylon ammodendron confers drought and salt ...
HaASR2 from Haloxylon ammodendron confers drought and salt tolerance in plants ... Adaptation of Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pall.) Kuntze to Saline–Alkaline ...
[43]
Varying water utilization of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in a ...
Oct 20, 2016 · The 20- and 40-year-old shrubs acquired water mainly from permanent groundwater. We conclude that the main water source of a young H. ...
[44]
[PDF] Varying water utilization of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in a ...
As soil water became less abundant,. H. ammodendron appeared to acquire proportionally more water from deeper in the soil profile via tap roots regardless of ...
[45]
Dynamics of soil water, temperature, and salt and their coupled ...
Dynamics of soil water, temperature, and salt and their coupled effects in Haloxylon ammodendron forests of different ages in an arid desert oasis ecotone.
[46]
High Air Humidity Causes Atmospheric Water Absorption via ...
May 7, 2019 · The results showed that a high content of atmospheric water was the prerequisite for foliar water uptake by H. ammodendron in the arid desert region.
[47]
High Air Humidity Causes Atmospheric Water Absorption via ...
May 8, 2019 · High Air Humidity Causes Atmospheric Water Absorption via Assimilating Branches in the Deep-Rooted Tree Haloxylon ammodendron in an Arid Desert ...
[48]
Sodium (Na+) and silicon (Si) coexistence promotes growth and ...
Aug 12, 2014 · Our previous investigations showed that sodium (Na+) has a positive effect on the growth and drought resistance of Haloxylon ammodendron under ...<|separator|>
[49]
Nutrient variation induced by rodent disturbance in Haloxylon ... - NIH
Nov 25, 2021 · This study explored the physiological and ecological response mechanism of Haloxylon ammodendron population to rodent disturbance in Gurbantunggut DesertMissing: uptake | Show results with:uptake
[50]
Changes in precipitation and atmospheric N deposition affect the ...
Oct 22, 2021 · This study showed that WUE of H. ammodendron was not correlated with nitrogen content (N), phosphorus content (P), and potassium content (K) when water and N ...<|separator|>
[51]
Dark septate endophytes enhance the drought tolerance of ...
Desert DSEs enhanced nutrient uptake and utilization of Haloxylon ammodendron. •. DSEs had a stronger effect on H. ammodendron in the sterilized soil treatment.
[52]
Root exudates facilitate the regulation of soil microbial community ...
Sep 18, 2024 · ... Haloxylon plants to environmental stressors and contribute to symbiotic relationships with soil microbes. Future studies can deepen our ...
[53]
Fungal Hyphae on the Assimilation Branches Are Beneficial ... - MDPI
Apr 29, 2024 · The Growth of Hyphae on the Assimilation Branches of Haloxylon ammodendron Is an Inevitable Ecological Process of Arid Ecological Adaptation.
[54]
Great gerbil burrowing-induced microbial diversity shapes the ...
Haloxylon ammodendron is the most widely distributed vegetation in desert areas. It has vital ecological significance and economic value in preventing dune flow ...Missing: biotic | Show results with:biotic
[55]
Effects of rodent-induced disturbance on eco-physiological traits of ...
May 20, 2020 · We found that disturbance by rodents significantly increased the crown width and total branching rates of young and middle-aged H. ammodendron.<|separator|>
[56]
Haloxylon ammodendron plantations: enhancing multi-trophic ...
The established H. ammodendron plantations positively impacted predatory and herbivorous macro-arthropods, while negatively affecting omnivorous macro- ...
[57]
Effects of Root–Root Interactions on the Physiological ... - MDPI
In conclusion, the root exudates of H. ammodendron seedlings are closely related to plant growth, soil nutrients, and rhizosphere bacteria, especially ...
[58]
Large-scale mRNA transfer between Haloxylon ammodendron ... - NIH
Jan 20, 2023 · Highlights. •. Ten thousand mRNAs transfer between Haloxylon ammodendron and root parasitic Cistanche deserticola. •. RNA mobility and ...
[59]
Interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate ...
Jan 27, 2025 · Differences in AMF colonization rates in the roots of Populus euphratica and Haloxylon ammodendron under different water gradients. Endophyte ...
[60]
Characteristic on the Stability of Haloxylon ammodendron Plantation ...
Jul 29, 2021 · However, large area of H. ammodendron forest was suffered deforestation and overgrazing during the 1970s and 1980s, which leads to severe ...
[61]
A comparative study on reasons of degenerated of haloxylon ...
In this study we investigated the spatial distribution of dead plants, the ages of living and dead plants, and the condition of the shallow lateral roots of H.
[62]
[PDF] Early survival and growth of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings ...
Apr 21, 2025 · Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A.Mey.) Bunge is a native xerophytic C4 shrub species widely distributed in the arid regions of China and Central ...
[63]
Population characteristics of haloxylon ammodendron (c.a.mey ...
Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A. Mey) Bunge is a desert shrub with ecological and economic importance. Because of the severe drought and the over-exploitation ...Missing: anthropogenic threats
[64]
[PDF] Effects of different development stages and stress gradient on ...
However, the area of natural Haloxylon ammodendron forest is decreasing because of land development, groundwater mining, excessive deforestation, and ...
[65]
A Case Study of the Alxa Legue Desert, China - PMC
Haloxylon ammodendron is the most dominant afforestation plant in the Alxa Legue desert area. However, the natural regeneration and development of Haloxylon ...
[66]
Predicting the suitable habitats of parasitic desert species based on ...
Dec 12, 2021 · Haloxylon ammodendron, an excellent tree species for sand fixation ... threatened by climate change and anthropogenic activities. The ...Missing: threats | Show results with:threats
[67]
Responses of four dominant dryland plant species to climate change ...
Haloxylon ammodendron and A. aphylla were likely to lose most of their current suitable habitats under future climate scenarios, while C. mongolicum and P.
[68]
Effects of climate change on Haloxylon ammodendron community in ...
Aug 6, 2025 · The results showed that climate change led to, temperature varied sharply and the rainfall reduced in the early spring in arid area. As a result ...
[69]
The relationship between vegetation and soil moisture reveals the ...
Aug 6, 2025 · The soil water consumption of H. ammodendron plantation at 22–46 years old was greater than that of soil water supplement, and the soil moisture ...
[70]
Restoration status of 38-year-old Haloxylon ammodendron ...
The results showed that H. ammodendron plantations with a planting density of 480–625 Plants/ha formed stable communities after 38 years without irrigation.
[71]
Effect of restoration techniques on Haloxylon ammodendron C.A.Mey
Biological rehabilitation is an effective way in preventing desertification process. Saxaul trees have distributed in Central Asia including Iran.
[72]
Allometric Growth and Biomass Allocation in Haloxylon ... - MDPI
Given the annual precipitation variability of 35% in the Jilantai region [41], there is a significant implementation risk due to high human uncontrollability.
[73]
Oases of Hope: How micro-nurseries help restore the Aral Sea
Apr 8, 2025 · The idea behind micro-nurseries is both simple and effective: local residents grow saxaul seedlings in their own backyards using special bags filled with sand ...
[74]
Degradation mechanisms and restoration strategies of Haloxylon ...
Aug 15, 2025 · Targeted restoration (e.g., sand barriers, strategic pruning) effectively reverses degradation, offering scalable solutions for desert ecosystem ...
[75]
Impacts of groundwater depth and tree age on the non-structural ...
These results suggest that different age classes of H. ammodendron exhibit distinct physiological responses to decreasing groundwater depth.
[76]
Aral Sea Restoration Efforts to Include Planting Million-Hectare ...
Jun 17, 2021 · Saxaul trees will be planted on one million hectares of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea on the territory of Kazakhstan as part of the new effort to stop ...Missing: techniques | Show results with:techniques
[77]
[PDF] THE SAXAUL- HALOXYLON PLANT AND ITS MEDICINAL ...
Dec 22, 2023 · Saxaul is of great importance in the national economy. It is mainly used as a firewood (fuel), nutritious feed for sheep and camels, sand ...
[78]
The growth of man-made forests of Haloxylon ammodendron and ...
The shrubs not only have a great importance for reforestation of desertification of dry steppes, but also have medicinal value and provide wood, fuel and fodder ...
[79]
Influence of light, temperature, salinity and storage on seed ...
Aug 6, 2025 · Previous studies showed that seed germination of H. ammodendron was affected by temperature, which was suitable at 10 ºC and lowest at 30 ºC; ...
[80]
Experimental design and measurement - Bio-protocol
Based on the field observation, most seeds of H. ammodendron germinated after rain from April to June. Thus, climate data of four seed sources were analysed ...Missing: dispersal | Show results with:dispersal
[81]
How to Grow and Care for Saxaul - PictureThis
The hardy desert shrub saxaul is typically propagated through cuttings. To successfully establish new growth, ensure cuttings possess healthy, mature stems. ...
[82]
A Nursery Protocol for Producing High-Quality Haloxylon ...
Dec 21, 2022 · Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A. Mey.) Bunge. is a candidate plant species for restoration, but low water availability constrains its germination and ...
[83]
[PDF] TECHNOLOGY OF GROWING SAXAUL SEEDLINGS IN THE ...
Pre-emergence irrigation is carried out immediately after sowing in order to ensure swelling and germination of seeds, as well as fixing sand from blowing. For ...
[84]
Na compound fertilizer promotes growth and enhances drought ...
Feb 28, 2013 · The positive effect of Na compound fertilizer on the growth and drought resistance of Haloxylon ammodendron and ecological environment were also ...
[85]
None-Watering and Tube-Protecting Planting Technique for ...
The planting technique uses plastic or sand-made tubes to nurse the seedlings of Haloxylon ammodendron based on the theory that the high temperature of sandy ...
[86]
Comparative effects of vertical tube and traditional surface drip ...
Oct 1, 2024 · Vertical tube surface drip irrigation is more conducive to the growth and development of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings. •. The optimal ...
[87]
Uzbekistan plants a forest where a sea once lay - Mongabay
May 29, 2024 · The main purpose of the afforestation project it to curb the harmful sandstorms and improve the ecosystem by planting desert-tolerant plants like saxaul.
[88]
Carbon sequestration of sand-fixing plantation of Haloxylon ...
Haloxylon ammodendron sand-fixing plantation, a unique ecological shelter forest in desert areas of Asia, has not only the ecological functions of reducing ...