Investigation of the Variations of Soil Factors under Haloxylon aphyllum Cultivation

Determination of the relationships between soil and plant cover indispensible in the in planning and managementof the arid regions, the aim being to revitalize plant cover, conserve soil and to combat desertification. Among factorsaffecting plant cover, particularly in arid and semiarid areas are soil traits. During the present study, the effect ofHaloxylon aphyllum Cultivation on soil physiochemical properties (at different depths) was investigated. A split plotdesign was employedin the study, in which cultivated and non-cultivated areas were considered as inter-relatedfactors, whereas soil depths of(0-10), (10-30) and (30-60) cm as intra- related factors. Soil texture, EC, pH, nitrogen,phosphorous and organic matter was assessed. Soluble salts of Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, K, carbonate and bicarbonate weremeasured. Haloxylon aphyllum has led to a significant difference between Ca, Mg and bicarbonate in the first layer ascompared with the third. A significant difference has been observed between nitrogen in the first soil layer incomparison with that in the second layer. Significant differences were also observed among all Haloxylon aphyllumcultivated soil layers as to the contents of Soluble K, absorbable K as well as phosphorous.