TITLE:
Effects of Hydrogels on Tree Seedling Performance in Temperate Soils before and after Water Stress
AUTHORS:
Lawrence J. B. Orikiriza, Hillary Agaba, Gerald Eilu, John D. Kabasa, Martin Worbes, Aloys Hüttermann
KEYWORDS:
Desiccation; Non-Water Stress; SAPs; Soil Amendment; Tree Species
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.7,
July
18,
2013
ABSTRACT: Super
Absorbent Polyacrylate (SAP) hydrogels absorb and store water thereby aiding
plant establishment when incurporated in the soil. The effect of cross-linked
SAP hydrogel amendment on the performance of tree seedlings of Picea abies, Pinus sylivestris and Fagus
sylvatica grown in temperate soils under water stress and non-water stress
periods was investigated in a green house. The objective was to compare the
root and shoot biomass of seedlings of the three species grown in sand, loam
and clay soils amended with 0.4% w/w hydrogel in non water stress conditions as
well as survival, root and shoot biomass after subjection to water stress. The
seedlings were grown for 16 weeks, harvested and shoot as well as root biomass
determined before water stress. The seedlings were also subjected to water
stress and their biomass assessed at
death following the water stress. The results showed that root and shoot biomass were generally higher in hydrogel amended
soils compared to the controls. Root and shoot biomass of Fagus sylvatica was lower compared to Picea abies and Pinus
sylivestris before water stress. The 0.4% hydrogel amendment significantly
increased species’ survival in the different soils studied. Although root
biomass was higher in hydrogel amended sandy soil compared to other soils, P. sylivestris and F. sylvatica shoot biomass were higher in hydrogel amended clay and loam soils compared to the sandy
soil after water stress. Biomass was higher in sand compared to loam and clay
soils under non-water and water stressed conditions. Since SAP hydrogel
amendment improved the survival and biomass production of tree seedlings before
and after water stress, use of SAPs could be promoted to enhance seedling production
in water stress and non-water stress environments.