The effect of a hydrophilic polymer (Broadleaf P4(R); HP) on growth of cucu
mber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.) was investigated. Furthermore, the effi
ciency of HP to absorb water over a period of time was studied. Predetermin
ed amounts of HP (0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% dry-weight basis) were m
ixed with moderately calcareous sandy loam soil in pots. At the end of the
first experiment (42 days), the growth of the seedlings was recorded, as we
ll as the maximum soil water-holding capacity (WHC), The same pots were lef
t for a drying period ranging from 2 to 5 months and then used for another
four successive experiments. Soil WHC increased significantly with increasi
ng level of HP, but decreased after each experiment. After five experiments
, the WHC had decreased 17.3% and 27.8% where HP was added at the rate of 0
.1% and 0.4%, respectively. The bulk density of soils decreased significant
ly with addition of HP and had increased after five growing experiments at
each HP rate. Cucumber seedling growth was stimulated by addition of the po
lymer. The greatest vegetative growth, expressed as leaf area and shoot fre
sh and dry weights, was observed at 0.3% HP in the first and second experim
ent, but at 0.4% in the third and fourth.