Mineral nutrient content and turnover rate of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum in the north-western desert of Egypt

Abstract

A knowledge of the nutrient content of different plant organs is a necessary basis for the evaluation of the role of different nutrient elements in functioning of the ecosystem. The annual species Mesembryanthemum crystallinum concentrates excess Na, K and Ca in the vegetative organs at the standing dead stage. The total content of the different elements exhibited two distinct peaks. The first was during the late vegetative stage and included the elements Na, K, Ca and Mg while the second, during the standing dead stage, was made up of Ca and Mg. The turnover rate and time calculated in the present study indicate that M. crystallinum is well adapted to the environment of the western Mediterranean desert of Egypt. The accumulation of Ca and Na in the litter alters the habitat, inhibiting the growth of some of the associated annuals and permitting increased invasion by M. crystallinum year after year.