Response of spiffy bushclover (Lespedeza formosa) to simulated moderate drought stress in two growth substrates

Application of high-stress tolerant tree species is a key technique for the restoration of degraded soils. Hence a drought-stress experiment was conducted to determine drought tolerance of spiffy bushclover (Lespedeza formosa) in two growth substrates (nutrient-rich and nutrient-deficient) under greenhouse conditions. The results show that leaf saturation deficiency, chlorophyll content, plant height, and root and shoot biomass of spiffy bushclover under drought stress significantly decrease compared with conventional irrigation conditions. On the other hand, proline content, soluble sugar content and malondialdehyde (MDA) in functional leaves of spiffy bushclover significantly increase under drought-stress. Plants in nutrient-rich substrate have higher tolerance to simulated drought than those in nutrient-deficient substrate. It is therefore concluded that spiffy bushclover could be a drought-tolerant species suitable for vegetation restoration on dry eco-sites, and nutrient-rich substrates enhance spiffy bushclover performance and drought tolerance.