Effects of Drought Stress on Annual Herbaceous Plants under Different Mixed Growth Conditions in Desert Oasis Transition Zone of the Hexi Corridor

Annual herbaceous plants are frequently layered under the artificial sand-fixing forest within desert oasis transition zone of Hexi Corridor. The effect drought stress on annual is great significance to restoration vegetation as well stability ecosystem in zone. Setaria viridis, Chloris virgata, Halogeton arachnoideus, and Bassia dasyphylla typical that occur naturally Caragana korshinskii were used research subject this study. Concentration gradient tests conducted different mixed growth conditions: 0 (blank control group), 5, 10, 15 C. seeds, 0%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, order explore interactive effects plants. results demonstrated germination percentage rate was significantly affected by number seeds (p < 0.05), whereby optimal when no present. Furthermore, we found Gramineae higher than Chenopods. In stage, biomass root-shoot ratio chenopods 0.05). We highest at 2% stress, displayed a positive correlation with an increase stress. Notably, survival grown combination five thus indicating interaction; contrast, decreased they more negative interaction. observed decreasing trend root activity chlorophyll content increasing reduced decline photosynthetic ability resulted inhibition seedling growth. ~1.3–2.0 times Chenopods, which may be reason behind lower chenopods.