Phytosociological behaviour and mineral allocation in Panicum turgidum Forssk. along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, Kuwait

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing the phytosociological behaviour, nutrient element allocation and soil‐plant relations of the Panicum turgidum, which inhabits the arid region of Failaka Island and Jal Az‐Zor along the coastal plain of Kuwait. The above and underground parts of P. turgidum, at 21 different sites distributed across two different localities, as well as surrounding soil, were analyzed. TWINSPAN, DCA and CCA multivariate techniques were applied to the plant species and soil data set, with all statistical calculations using SAS software. Multivariate analysis led to the identification of 4 vegetation groups associated with the distribution of P. turgidum. These groups were: Stipagrostis ciliata‐Cakile arabica, Plantago boissieri, Cyperus conglomeratus and Alhagi graecorum. The above and underground parts of P. turgidum in Failaka showed the presence of a wider range of mineral nutrients, whereas in Jal Az‐Zor there was a greater concentration of heavy metals in the analysed plant parts. These results suggested that Failaka, as an isolated island, exhibited better environmental conditions for the growth of P. turgidum with a more efficient uptake, use and recycling of minerals compared with the Jal Az‐Zor in which heavy metals tended to accumulate in the plants and soil (Br, Zn, Fe and Cu). (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)