Root distribution of three co-occurring desert shrubs and their physiological response to precipitation

Root distribution of three desert shrubs,Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb.,Haloxylon ammodendron(C.A.Mey.) Bunge and Reaumuria soongorica(Pall.) Maxim.was investigated under co-occurring conditions using a method for excavating the whole root system.Assimilation shoot water potential and transpiration rates were monitored during the wet-dry cycle.Leaf-specific apparent hydraulic conductance and the index of water stress impact for the three species were calculated from shoot water potential and transpiration rate.The results showed that,along the soil profile,the root system of T.ramosissima mainly distributed at 50 to 310 cm interval,with an average total absorbing root-surface area of 30,249.2 cm2 per plant;the root system of H.ammodendraom distributed at 0 to 250 cm interval with an average total absorbing root-surface area of 12,847.3 cm2 per plant;the root system of R.soongorica distributed at 0-80 cm interval,with an average total absorbing root-surface area of 361.8 cm2.The root distribution shows the following:T.ramosissima uses groundwater as its main water source;H.ammodendraom uses both groundwater and rainwater;and R.soongorica uses rainwater only.During the wet-dry cycle,the hydraulic parameters of T.ramosissima showed no responses to precipitation.R.soongorica responded most significantly,and the responses of H.ammodendraom were intermediate.In conclusion,the plant response to rain events is closely related to their root distribution and plant water-use strategy.