Efficacy of a hydrophilic polymer declines with time in greenhouse experiments

Citation
Ar. Al-harbi et al., Efficacy of a hydrophilic polymer declines with time in greenhouse experiments, HORTSCIENCE, 34(2), 1999, pp. 223-224
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
HORTSCIENCE
ISSN journal
00185345 → ACNP
Volume
34
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
223 - 224
Database
ISI
SICI code
0018-5345(199904)34:2<223:EOAHPD>2.0.ZU;2-P
Abstract
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.