Effect of Hydrogel on Wilting and Moisture Stress of Bedding Plants1
Open Access
- 1 July 1980
- journal article
- Published by American Society for Horticultural Science in Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science
- Vol. 105 (4) , 511-513
- https://doi.org/10.21273/jashs.105.4.511
Abstract
Hydrogel incorporated in the growing media of 2 bedding plants, marigold ‘Dolly’ (Tagetes erecta L.) and zinnia ‘Pink Buttons’ (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) grown in 3 different size containers generally increased hours to wilting (HTW) sequentially in both species and with increasing rates of hydrogel over the range tested (4 to 16 kg/m3). HTW of marigold and zinnia grown in 5.1 cm3 containers in hydrogel amended media at 16 kg/m3 increased 45 and 37%, respectively. High rates of hydrogel incorporation were as effective in increasing HTW in small containers as was doubling container size. Pressure bomb studies with plants grown under stress in hydrogel-amended media confirmed the reduction in internal moisture tension.Keywords
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