Adaptation of Asparagus munitus to karst adversity and its effects on soil

Abstract In this study, Asparagus munitus was planted in karst rocky desertification (KRD) areas and arable land (AL) to explore the changes in plant adaptability to KRD environments and effects on KRD soils. Results showed A. munitus exhibited shrinkage in KRD habitats, evidenced by increased number and length of stems, branch length, and other agronomic traits; significantly elevated antioxidant enzyme and osmoregulator content in leafy shoots; and increased polysaccharide content in tuberous roots. Correlation and principal component analyses of plant agronomic traits revealed strong correlations among indicators except basal stems, with leaf shoot length and root diameter as the first and second principal components, respectively. Soil physical properties and nutrient contents showed KRD soil pH, water content, porosity, and nutrient content markedly changed after A. munitus planting, overall positively developing. This study reveals partial adaptive strategies of A. munitus to KRD habitats and ameliorative effects of planting A. munitus on KRD soils, providing theoretical bases for A. munitus cultivation and KRD soil improvement.