Responses and recovery among seedlings of some arid land woody legumes under combined effects of sudden drought and nutrient stress

The present study investigated the combined effects of sudden drought and low soil nutrients on drought responses and recovery among seedlings of some leguminous species.  Nutrient stress has negative effects on drought resistance of the plants. Further, drought responses and recovery capacity from sudden drought and nutrient stress differ among seedlings of different plant species. Bauhinia. Rufescens and Acacia nilotica had the highest percentage (p = 0.001) of re-sprouted leaves (mean: 92.6 and 136.0, respectively), and the least were found in Faidherbia albida and Piliostigma thoningii (27.1 and 47.5, respectively). A. nilotica and B. rufescens had significantly (p = 0.001) lowest recorded number of dead seedlings with a total number of 2 and 0, respectively. The highest number of dead plants was recorded for F. albida (22) and P. thoningii (13). B. rufescens, A. nilotica and P. reticulatum are therefore recommended for rehabilitation purposes in the arid zones.