Frequency distribution and correlation among mineral elements in Lycium andersonii from the northern Mojave Desert
Two hundred samples of leaves of Lycium andersonii A. Gray, each representing one plant and divided among six different locations, were assayed by emission spectrography. Information for 12 different elements is reported in terms of concentrations, frequency distribution, correlations, and some soil characteristics. The objective was to ascertain the nature of variability for mineral elements within a species. Composition varied significantly for all 12 elements among locations, all within about 20 km. At least part of the variation was due to soil characteristics. Samples from Rock Valley were highest in K, Na, and Li, which effect is associated with volcanic outcrop. Samples from Mercury Valley were highest in P, Mg, Ba, and B. At least Mg is related to the soil composition. Correlation coefficients between element pairs were often very different for all 200 samples versus those obtained for individual locations. Some of the values for all 200 samples together proved to be artifacts. The highest correlation was for Ca x Sr (positive) and next was Ca x Mg (also positive). Most correlations were slightly or strongly positive (24 to 32). Only P x Ca, Ca x Na, Ca x B, and Sr x P seemed to be significantly negative of the 32 correlations examined. Frequency distribution patterns where common populations were grouped were often normally distributed. Li, as previously reported, and Na, Cu, Mn,and B and Ba at some locations were not normally distributed. Wide variations in the concentrations of individual elements in leaves of these species were encountered.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Los Angeles
- OSTI ID:
- 6640549
- Journal Information:
- Great Basin Nat.; (United States), Vol. 4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Relationship of small washes to the distribution of Lycium andersonii and Larrea tridentata at a site in the northern Mojave Desert
Comparative photosynthetic production of Mojave Desert shrubs. [Ambrosia dumosa, Lycium andersonii, L. pallidum, Larrea tridentata, Krameria parvifolia]
Related Subjects
ELEMENTS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
LEAVES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CORRELATIONS
DESERTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
NEVADA
ROCKS
SHRUBS
SOILS
VARIATIONS
ARID LANDS
DATA
INFORMATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANTS
USA
WESTERN REGION
510100* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)