Abstract: Salsola arbucula，Convolvulos tragacanthoides and Atraphaxis spinosa are important components of the vegetation in Urumqi. They play an important role in maintaining ecosystem stability in the area. The responses to drought stress on growth and physiological characteristics of these shrubs were studied in this paper. The results showed that the height, basal diameter and the biomass of these shrubs were differently decreased at the three levels of water stress. The distribution of biomass was also affected by drought stress. The growth of C.tragacanthoides hardly decreased with the water stress. With the drought stress, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), proline and soluble sugar increased at different levels. The content of chlorophyll decreased. In conclusion, S.arbucula and A.spinosa grew well under the mild water stress. C.tragacanthoides grew better under moderate and severe water stress.

Key words: drought-resistances, growth, physiological characteristics, Salsola arbucula, Convolvulos tragacanthoides, Atraphaxis spinosa