Adaptation of Nitraria sphaerocarpa to wind-blown sand environments at the edge of a desert oasis

This study addresses the adaptation of Nitraria sphaervcarpa to blown sand at the edge of a desert oasis with regard to the aspects of soil seed banks, seedlings, and population. Horizontally, the total number of seeds per unit area decreased from the shrub canopy center to intershrub areas, and most seeds were found under shrub canopies. Vertically, the highest proportion of seeds was found at depths of 5-10 cm. The emergence percentage, seedling mass, and seedling height, which were significantly affected by both burial depth and seed size, were highest at the optimal burial depth of 2 cm, and decreased with increasing burial depth in each seed size-class. Although seedling mass was usually greatest for large seeds and least for small seeds at each burial depth, little difference was observed in seedling height at shallow burial depths of 0-3 cm. The population shows a patchy and discontinuous distribution pattern. Population height increases with increasing sand depth. Also the density increases with increasing depth of sand in the desert; however, there is a steady decrease when the depth of sand is more than 100 cm. This result indicates that the depth of sand that is most suitable for the growth of Nitraria sphaervcarpa is 100 cm. The size of the population is significantly correlated with the sand depth, which increases with increasing depth in the desert.     

The protective potential of Nitraria retusa on penconazole-induced hepatic injury in adult rats

The protective effect of Nitraria retusa fruit extract against hepatotoxicity induced by penconazole at a dose of 67 mg/kg body weight given intraperitoneally every two days to male Wistar rats was investigated. Penconazole exposure increased malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and advanced oxidation protein product levels. Hepatic biomarkers as well as enzymatic (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymatic (vitamin C, non-protein thiols and metallothioneins) antioxidant status were also altered. Treatment with N. retusa extract improved all parameters cited above. Liver histological studies confirmed the biochemical parameters. These results provide a scientific basis for the use of N. retusa fruit against hepatotoxicity.     

盐生植物在盐渍土壤改良中的作用

盐生植物盐爪爪〔Kalidiumfoliatum (Pall.)Moq.〕、盐地碱蓬 (SuaedasalsaL .Pall)、中亚滨藜 (AtriplexcentralasiatieaIljin)、西伯利亚白刺 (NitrariasibiricaPall) ,在中国禹城地区〔φ(N) =36°5 5′,λ(E) =116°40′〕含盐量较高 (1%～ 1.3%)的试验田中分别种植 .出苗后定苗 ,株密度n =80m-2 ,小区面积为 4m2 ,每种植物 3个重复 .种植前分别测定土壤Na+ 含量 ,N、P、K含量 ,有机质含量 ,细菌和真菌数量 .萌发后 15d测定植株干重、植株Na+ 含量 .在花芽形成期收获 ,再测定植物干重和植株Na+ 含量 ,以及土壤Na+ 含量 ,N、P、K含量 ,有机质含量 ,细菌和真菌数量 .结果发现 ,盐渍土壤种植 4种盐生植物 1个季度后 ,土壤Na+ 含量显著降低 ,每季盐爪爪从土壤中吸收Na+ 量 934 5 .6kg/hm2 ,盐地碱蓬吸收Na+ 量 6 85 1.4kg/hm2 ,西伯利亚白刺吸收 6 0 19.2kg/hm2 ,中亚滨藜吸收 6 0 98.4kg/hm2 .土壤有机质 ,N、P、K以及细菌和真菌数量也有不同程度的增加 .这再次证明 ,盐生植物是一类良好的吸盐植物 .并对盐渍土壤种植盐生植物后Na+盐降低、土壤肥力和微生物数量增加的原因进行了讨论 .表 7参 13