Hydrogel in the seedling growth of Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden under different irrigation management

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of using hydrogel in the planting of Eucalyptus dunnii seedlings in pots, under different water-management regimens. Seedlings of approximately 25 cm height were planted in pots filled with 4.5 L of soil. The experiment was of Completely Randomized Design, in a 2x3 factorial, with absence and presence of hydrogel related to different water-management regimens (irrigation only in planting, every 3 to 6 days). From planting until the 47th day the seedlings were evaluated for the symptoms of water stress, chlorophyll content and gas exchange. Finally, the development of the plants was evaluated using the root dry weights and shoots, as well as by determining the water retention curve. As a result, the use of the polymer yielded an increase in water retention and a delay in the symptoms of drought stress, consequently increasing chlorophyll levels. One can observe the direct effect gas exchange of this kind, where recovery of the variables analyzed 24 h after irrigation was visible. Reviews of dry biomass demonstrated that treatment with the use of hydrogel showed the best development. However, the use of hydro retainer polymer increased the quality of Eucalyptus dunnii seedlings, besides being an alternative planting method in dry periods of the year.

Water-Retaining Polymer and Planting Pit Size on Chlorophyll Index, Gas Exchange and Yield of Sour Passion Fruit with Deficit Irrigation

“…The linear increase observed in the Chl b index ( Figure 4 d) may be due to a negative adjustment of the enzymatic activity of Chl b reductase, responsible for the conversion of Chl b to Chl a [ 33 ], indicating that the photosynthetic apparatus is suffering damage in the chlorophyll fluorescence, which can be confirmed by observing the fluorescence data ( Figure 5 ), which showed damage in the PSII. Behavior similar to our study was observed by [ 34 ] in eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden ) on the ground with a water-retaining polymer, which found increases in leaf chlorophyll levels depending on the irrigation frequency. The authors attributed to the water-retaining polymer a reduction in nutrient losses, mainly N, which is directly linked to the structuring composition of photosynthetic pigments in plants.…”

Uso De Hidrogel E Mulching Na Sobrevivência E Crescimento De Espécies Arbustivas E Arbóreas

“…Além da técnica de mulching, o uso de hidrogel minimiza o déficit hídrico, pois possui capacidade de retenção de água, pois libera gradualmente a água retida para o solo após a hidratação, disponibilizando-a para absorção pelas raízes das plantas (NAVROSKI et al, 2014). Sua utilização influencia no desenvolvimento das raízes, crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas, maximiza o aproveitamento da água (de irrigação ou precipitação), melhora a aeração e drenagem do solo, diminui o déficit hídrico em períodos de estiagem, além de reduzir as perdas de nutrientes por lixiviação, diminuindo os custos na produção de diferentes culturas e possibilitando maior flexibilidade entre operações de irrigação (SAAD et al, 2009;NAVROSKI et al, 2014;FELIPPE et al, 2021).…”