Effects of Hydrophilic Polymer on the Survival of Buttonwood Seedlings Grown Under Drought Stress

Abstract

The effect of 0.0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% of the hydrophilic polymer "Stockosorb K-400" hydrogel (HG) on survival and growth of buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.) seedlings grown in sandy soil under drought stress was investigated. The ability of the soil to retain water increased with increasing hydrogel concentrations. The highest level of the HG was capable of changing the typical sandy soil to a loam or even silty clay in terms of water potential and water content. The highest HG concentration prolonged the time of water loss from the soil by about 66% more than the control soil. During drought stress, the seedlings grown in 0.6% HG-mixed soil survived three times as long as those grown in the control soil. Shoot and root growth increased significantly in HG-amended soil as compared with non-amended soil. Plant water potential increased significantly with HG application, thus it aided in the establishment and growth of C. erectus seedlings under water stress conditions. There were no significant differences between 0.4% and 0.6%. The study indicated that an amendment of soil with 0.4% to 0.6% of the hydrophilic polymer "Stockosorb K-400" can be used in arid and semi-arid areas to enhance the drought tolerance of C. erectus seedlings.

Effects of Hydrogels on Tree Seedling Performance in Temperate Soils before and after Water Stress

“…Most studies on hydrogel application have been conducted on sandy soils [17][18][19][20][21][22] with less attention to loamy and clayey soils. Thus, the behavior of hydrogels in the latter soils remains largely unexplored and could potentially limit their application over a wide range of agro-ecological zones.…”

Improving some Physical Properties of Sandy Soil and Conocarpus erectus L. Plant Growth by the Application of Hydrogel

“…The alteration of sandy soil physical properties indicates that adding hydrogel, even at small levels, to the soil increases the period of time at which the soil remains moistness than the control soil. This allows the irrigated water not to be wasted after irrigation, but stored in the soil and released under the mechanism controlled by plant roots absorption and evaporation (Al-Humaid, 2005, Al-Humaid and Moftah, 2007and Sannino, 2008. In addition, the application of the amendment also encouraged formation of soil aggregates that, in turn, decreased the soil bulk densities.…”

“…In arid and semi-arid regions, water availability is often the limiting factor determining the size of cultivated areas (Hussien et al, 2012). Thus, conserving irrigation and rainwater for plant growth in water-limiting environments by means of agricultural practices may be an important way to overcome the dilemma of water lack (Al-Humaid, 2005 andMoftah, 2007). Otherwise, to make plantation more economically successful, cost effective means that ensure high survival of these newly planted seedlings must be achieved (Thomas, 2008).…”

“…This hydrophilic polymer attracted great deal of research attention due to its intriguing properties and applications especially when the product is applied in planting media (Nie et al, 2004 andPeng et al, 2008). This water-absorbing polymer or soil amendment may enhance plant survival through its ability to imbibe large amounts of water and exhibit high permeability to oxygen, nutrients, and water soluble metabolites, particularly in sandy soils (Al-Humaid, 2005, Al-Humaid and Moftah, 2007, Thomas, 2008Nguyen et al, 2009, Beniwal et al, 2010, Beniwal et al, 2011and Guyomard-Lack et al, 2012. In other words, hydrogel functions as an additional water reservoir for the soil-plantair system (Luo et al, 2009).…”

“…Extracts of the bark are used to treat bleeding gums and skin ulcers. In addition to its ecological and economic importance, Buttonwood is rather frequently used for afforestation in arid and semi-arid areas (Al-Humaid, 2005, Al-Humaid and Moftah, 2007and Hegazy et al, 2008.…”