Rhizosheath Characteristics of Annual Ephemerals in Sandy and Gravelly Habitats of Northern Xinjiang Deserts

The rhizosheath is an important root trait that plays a critical role in enhancing plant uptake of water and nutrients, contributing to the adaptation of plant species to specific environmental conditions. This study investigates the formation and characteristics of rhizosheaths in annual ephemeral plants in the desert environment of northern Xinjiang through systematic field surveys and comparative analyses. Key findings include: (1) A total of 67 annual ephemeral species were surveyed, with 15 species exhibiting distinct rhizosheath structures, predominantly from the Poaceae family. (2) Among the rhizosheath-forming species, 11 were identified in sandy habitats, while 7 were found in gravelly habitats. Notably, three species (<i>Eremopyrum distans</i>, <i>Eremopyrum triticeum</i>, and <i>Eremopyrum orientale)</i> were observed to form rhizosheaths in both habitat types. Rhizosheath traits, such as length, diameter, surface area, volume, relative weight, and development index, were significantly greater in sandy environments than in gravelly ones. These results highlight the species-specific characteristics of rhizosheath formation among desert annual ephemerals in northern Xinjiang and demonstrate that sandy habitats are more favorable for rhizosheath development. This study provides valuable insights into the ecological strategies of desert plants and contributes to our understanding of their adaptive mechanisms in arid environments.