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Evaluation of
a water-saving superabsorbent polymer for corn (Zea mays
L.) production in arid regions of Northern China
Sishuai Mao1,2, M. Robiul
Islam1,2,3, Xuzhang Xue2, Xuechao Yang1,
Xingbao Zhao4 and
Yuegao Hu1*
1College of Agronomy and
Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing
100193, China.
2National Research Center
for Intelligent Agricultural Equipments, Beijing, 100097,
P.R. China.
3Department of Agronomy and
Agricultural Extension, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi 6205,
Bangladesh.
4Beijing Hanlisorb
Polywater Hi-Tech. Co. Ltd. Beijing 100081, P. R. China.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
huyuegaocau@hotmail.com . Tel: +86-10-62733847. Fax:
+86-10-62732441.
Accepted 22 July, 2011 |
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In arid and semiarid regions of northern China, there is an
increasing interest in using water-saving superabsorbent
polymer (SAP) for field crop production. Experiments were
conducted during summer corn season in 2009 to study the
growth and yield characteristics of summer corn (Zea mays
L.) under different (control, 0; low, 5; medium, 10 and
high, 15 kg ha-1) rates of SAP in a
drought-affected field of northern China. Corn yield
increased slightly following SAP application at low and
medium rate, but significantly at high rate by 37.5%. At the
same time, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, biomass
accumulation, harvest index and relative water content, as
well as protein, sugar and starch contents in the grain
increased significantly following SAP treatments. The
optimum application of superabsorbent polymer for corn
cultivation in the study area would be 15 kg ha-1
as it best increased the grain yield and quality. Lower
rates (5 and 10 kg ha-1) may not be sufficient
for corn requirements. We suggest that the application of
SAP at 15 kg ha-1could be an efficient and
economic soil management practice for summer corn production
in the drought affected regions of northern China or other
areas with similar ecologies.
Key words:
Corn, drought stress, northern China, superabsorbent
polymer. |
