Effect of A200 super absorbent polymers on corn growth and yield under Partial Root-Zone Drying Irrigation
Abstract
M. Sakaki, A. Shahnazari* and M.A. Gholami
Water crisis: One of the most important and effective solutions to cope with water crisis is optimum use of consuming water in agriculture section. In other word, increasing “agricultural water productivity” is unavoidable in future planning and decision making as an effective factor. Therefore, deficit irrigation is stated as a proper solution in water limitation aiming to maximally use water volume unit. In addition to applying irrigation management methods, using developed techniques to save soil moisture is of the effective measures to increase irrigation efficiency and achieving sustainable agriculture. One of the strategies for optimal use of water resources and its preservation is using super absorbent polymers. This study was conducted during two growth seasons and within 2014-2015 in the farm and in Sari University of agricultural sciences and natural resources on single cross 704silage maize. The treatments included three irrigation regimes (as the main plot) and three levels of super absorbent (as subplots) with three replications. Irrigation treatments included complete and partial root irrigation in two levels of 55 and 65% (PRD65, PRD55) and three levels of water super absorbent polymer of A200 type, including 20, 40 and 60kg/hectare. Based on the obtained results, the plants, were regularly irrigated during their growth period and cultivated in the conditions of 60kg/hectare of super absorbent, had the most rate of yield components but they weren’t significantly different from those plants, irrigated with 55 and 65% volume. In other word, the function of super absorbent in these treatments increased the efficiency of water use and partial irrigation in 55 and 65% volume has been able to generate an equal yield with the conditions of complete irrigation.