Nitrogen-fixing potential of Halimodendron halodendron (Pall.) Voss in arid and semi-arid areas of Iran

Abstract

Nitrogen content was estimated in rhizosphere of legume Halimodendron halodendron (Pall.) Voss along with Berberis integerrima Bunge as control in sandy loam soils of arid and semi-arid areas in Middle East every 2 years (2013–2019). Lepidium sativum seed was also cultivated in soil of shrubs rhizosphere for monitoring its performance and N content. Maximum rates of 1.05% year−1 and 1.54% year−1 for soil organic nitrogen (ON) and 0.50% year−1 and 0.66% year−1 for mineral nitrogen (MN) were observed in H. halodendron rhizospheres in arid and semi-arid areas, respectively. Moreover, the highest L. sativum performance occurred in H. halodendron rhizosphere. Significant relation also was observed between N content of L. sativum and N content of shrubs rhizosphere (p < 0.02; R2 = 0.606 and 0.585 between SON and MN of soil, respectively, and L. sativum N content).