Foliar fertilization of two dominant species in a semiarid ecosystem improves their ecophysiological status and the use efficiency of a water pulse

•Foliar fertilization can alleviate the effects of nutrient shortage in dryland plants.•Fertilization enhanced species-specific traits related to drought and light stress.•P and Zn foliar sprays reinforced the photoprotective strategy of R. officinalis.•Fe and Mn foliar sprays enhanced the poikilochlorophyllous strategy of S. tenacissima.•These species-specific responses favoured a more efficient use of a rainfall pulse.