Water-superabsorbent polymer improves seedling establishment in some warm-season plants
![Water- superabsorbent polymer improved seedling height in some warm season plants. Source: H. Heidari](https://revistas.uptc.edu.co/public/journals/13/submission_17763_15254_coverImage_en_US.png)
Abstract
Drought reduces plant establishment. Uneven and failed establishment causes crop loss. This experiment aimed at determining the effect of water-superabsorbent application rates (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g m-2) on the plant establishment of foxtail millet, dill, and fenugreek. This field experiment was conducted in a semi-arid area. The used water-superabsorbent was synthetic and of acrylamide, acrylic acid and potassium acrylate type, which is able to absorb 220% moisture for its weight. The cycle of water absorption and drying of water-superabsorbent is repeatable. Mean comparisons showed that water-superabsorbent polymer improved seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, plant height, and seedling emergence percentage in all studied plants. Overall, except for foxtail millet, a water-superabsorbent rate of 8 g m-2 is recommended for high seedling emergence. For foxtail millet, a superabsorbent polymer rate of 6 g m-2 is sufficient.
Keywords
Dill, Emergence percentage, Fenugreek, Foxtail millet, Hydrogel
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