Impact of Superabsorbent Polymer on Yield and Growth Analysis of Soybean (Glycine max L.) Under Drought Stress Condition

Abstract

The aim of present study is evaluation of the effect of four rates of superabsorbent polymer (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha(-1)) and three irrigation intervals (6, 8 and 10 days) on growth and yield of soybean (cult. L11) under field conditions. The results of this study showed that there was a significant effect among irrigation intervals on seed yield, Total Dry Matter (TDM), Leaf Area Index (LAI), Crop Growth Rate (CGR), plant height and Harvest Index (HI). Moreover, The highest increase in seed yield, Total Dry Matter (TDM), Leaf Area Index (LAI), Crop Growth Rate (CGR) and Harvest Index (HI) were achieved at 225 kg ha(-1) polymer compared with the control (without polymer). These results indicate that application of superabsorbent polymer at 225 kg ha(-1) appeared to increase all the above growth and yield attributes.