Hydrogel Banding Improves Plant Growth, Survival, and Water Use Efficiency in Two Calcareous Soils. Issue 7 (14th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El‐Asmar, Jessica; Jaafar, Hadi; Bashour, Issam; Farran, Mohammad T.; Saoud, Imad P.
• Is Part Of: Clean. Volume 45:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-06-14
• Subjects: Drought -- Pine -- Super absorbent polymers -- Water management -- Water productivity; Water quality -- Periodicals; Water -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Periodicals; Water chemistry -- Periodicals; 333.7205
• DOI: 10.1002/clen.201700251
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-0650

Abstract

Abstract : Improving water use efficiency in the agricultural sector, particularly in arid regions, is becoming increasingly important in response to increasing global population and concomitant demand for food, water, and land. The authors performed experiments to determine whether the use of super‐absorbent polymers, also known as hydrogels, can increase plant survival, plant growth, and plant water use efficiency. The effect of hydrogel application proportions and application methods on plant survival and growth in clay and sandy clay loam (SCL) soils was investigated. Two pot experiments using Zea mays and Pinus pinea as model plants were performed. The hydrogel was applied at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 g kg −1 soil in one of two methods: Banding or mixing. Hydrogel effects on water retention in the two soil types were recorded. The results suggest that hydrogel banding at 0.4% application in SCL improves corn's fresh and dry above‐ground biomass by 25%, and prolongs survival time of pine seedlings by 90%. Evapotranspiration was greater in soils banded with hydrogel at 0.4% and water use efficiency increased by 10–13% in both soils. Additionally, hydrogel increased water retention of SCL by up to 33% at 100 kPa, but had negligible effects when applied in clay soils. Accordingly, the efficacy of hydrogels in agriculture water conservation depends on using appropriate application methods and quantities. Abstract : To improve water retention in calcareous soils, a hydrogel at various doses is applied to soils planted with corn and pine seedlings using two applications methods (banding as a layer or mixing with soil). Banding the hydrogel at twice the manufacturers' recommended dose improves water use efficiency in both soils and increased survival of seedlings. Hydrogels function more efficiently when banded.