Plant and soil relationships in the north-eastern desert, Egypt

Abstract EN

The present study analysis the plant-soil relationship in the North-Eastern Desert of Egypt.

Fifty stands were examined and the matrix of 15 species x50 stands based on species cover data, was classified using Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and ordinated using Detrained Correspondence Analysis (DCA).

Three vegetation types were generated after the application of TWINSPAN technique.

These groups are named after the dominant perennial species as follows : Alhagi maurorum (Medio), Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb) Ege, Zygophyllum coccineum (L), Halocnemum strobilaceum (M.

Bieb) as well as, Parkinsonia aculata (L).

The association of dominant perennials with certain soil variables, the sand, particles moisture content, capacity, porosity, calcium carbonate content organic carbon, pH, chlorides, sulphates, T.

S.

S., K+, Ca++ and Fe+++ were assessed.

Some species are dominant in the study area namely Alhagi maurorum, Cressa cretica (L), Zygophyllum coccineum, Halocnemum strobilaceum.

Calotropis procera (R.

Br.) and Ochradenus baccatus (Del.).

Most vegetation types occur on deep sandy deposits, with coarse and fine sands.

Halocnemum strobilaceum, Cressa cretica and Nitraria retusa (L) dominate on saline areas.

Some ecological conditions supporting the various vegetation types are described