Response patterns of root sprouting and the clonal dispersal ability of Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis in relation to stubble height and its resource accumulation and allocation strategy

Coppicing at optimal stubble height is critical for clonal plant regeneration, yet prior studies focus on stump sprouting, neglecting root-based mechanisms. This study evaluates how stubble height (0, 10, 20 cm; control) affects root sprouting, clonal dispersal (root extension/ramification), and resource dynamics in a declining 15-year-old Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis plantation. Results show coppicing enhances root sprout formation, horizontal root growth, and resource accumulation (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, non-structural carbohydrates), but effects peak at 11–13 cm stubble height before declining. Coppicing reduced calcium and magnesium levels, while biomass allocation shifted toward leaves, vertical roots, and horizontal roots, prioritizing photosynthetic capacity and clonal dispersal. Resource accumulation (nutrients, carbohydrates) strongly correlated with root sprouting and clonal dispersal. Optimal stubble height (11–13 cm) balances nutrient retention, carbohydrate storage, and biomass allocation, driving leaf and root development to sustain regeneration. These findings highlight root sprouting, rather than stump sprouting, as central to clonal restoration in aging populations. The study provides a framework for selecting stubble heights to rejuvenate degraded Hippophae plantations in arid northern China, emphasizing resource allocation strategies and root-driven regeneration in clonal plants. • Optimal 11–13 cm stubble height boosts root sprouting, clonal dispersal, and resource accumulation in aging Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis . • Coppice enhances N, P, K, and NSC while reducing Ca, Mg, with peak effects at moderate stubble heights. • Biomass reallocation to leaves and roots drives sprouting and clonal growth via improved resource capture. • Synergistic link between sprouting capacity, clonal dispersal, and resource accumulation revealed. • Study provides stubble height guidelines for ecological restoration in arid northern China plantations.