The Effect of Water-Absorbing Synthetic Polymers on the Stomatal Conductance, Growth and Survival of Transplanted Eucalyptus microtheca Seedlings in the Sudan
- 1 August 1989
- journal article
- research article
- Published by JSTOR in Journal of Applied Ecology
- Vol. 26 (2) , 663-672
- https://doi.org/10.2307/2404090
Abstract
(1) Two water-absorbing synthetic polymers, a polyacrylamide and a polyvinylalcohol, were applied at two concentrations (0.2% and 0.5% v/v) to transplanted seedlings of Eucalyptus mictrotheca receiving a range of irrigation treatments. (2) Both polymers aided survival and growth. In the absence of irrigation, polymer additives almost doubled the period of tree survival, whereas under frequent irrigation the transplant shock was reduced. When irrigated every 6 days, all of the control trees died whereas those with polymer additives achieved 57-71% survival. (3) Measurements of the stomatal conductances of leaves showed stomatal closure due to transplant shock and gave early indications of the longer term patterns of tree survival in relation to the various irrigation and polymer treatments. (4) Polymer application costs between .pnd.0.010 and .pnd.0.016 per tree and would seem a cost effective way of increasing the success of tree planting in arid regions.This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- Seasonal water relations of savanna shrubs and grasses in Kenya, East AfricaJournal of Arid Environments, 1985
- The effects of gel‐forming polyacrylamides on moisture storage in sandy soilsJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1984
- Effect of soluble salts on water absorption by gel‐forming soil conditionersJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1984