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Abstract

The study was undertaken in Cholistan desert of Pakistan, with the objective of quantifying differences in soil nutrient status under Calligonum polygonoides canopies (canopied subhabitat) in comparison to the open area (uncanopied subhabitat). The results of the study clearly showed the existence of differences in the soil nutrient status between the various subhabitats, which occurred at various places from stem base area of the plant towards the open, uncanopied area. The results confirmed that electrical conductivity, nitrogen, organic matter, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, phosphorus, carbonates and bicarbonates were significantly high in the soils under the canopy cover of the plant as compared to those in uncanopied area (open area) but pH value was comparatively low in the soils under the canopy cover of the plant. It is evident from the results that canopy cover of C. polygonoides is playing a significant role in enrichment of nutrient poor soils of Cholistan desert.

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