The aim of this study was to investigate the role of rhizosphere organic phosphorus （P） in soil P supply in semiarid forests and the effects of tree species on rihizosphere organic P. We examined organic P fractions in rhizosphere and bulk soils of mono-specific Simon poplar （Populus simonii） and Mongolian pine （Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica） plantations in a semiarid sandy soil of Horqin Sandy Land in Northeast China. Total organic P （TPo） accounted for 76% of total P across the two stands. The concentration of organic P （Po） fractions decreased in the order of NaOH-Po〉Res-Po〉HCI-Po〉NaHCO3-Po in both plantations. The concentration of NaHCO3-Po was 38% and 43% lower in rhizosphere soil than in bulk soil in Simon poplar and Mongolian pine plantations, respectively. In contrast, total P, TPo and NaOH-Po significantly accumulated in rhizosphere soil in Simon poplar plantations, but no change in Mongolian pine plantations. Soil recalcitrant organic P fractions were positively correlated with soil organic carbon. The results suggest that rhizosphere labile organic P was an important source of plant-available P in this semiarid region, but the dynamic of rhizosphere recalcitrant organic P fractions varied with tree species and was correlated to organic carbon dynamics.
