Abstract
Hydrophilic polymer is suitable as soil conditioners for green roofs that use rainwater, due to promotion of water retention capacity as well as enhancement of the water absorbing capacity. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of different levels of hydrophilic polymer concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8% w/w) on the water holding capacity and growth response of 6 species in soils amended with hydrophilic polymer in 5 cm of soil thickness on green roofs. The results showed that the water holding capacity of the amended soil improved with increasing amount of applied polymer. The application of 0.8% w/w of the polymer increased the soil moisture by 87% compared to the control, and decreased slowly in green roofs during an arid period. The growth of Sedum spurium 'Dragon's blood' and Lampranthus spectabilis increased significantly and had greater than 60% relative coverage with higher hydrophilic polymer concentrations. However, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii and Euonymus fortunei var. radicans had no significant differences upon change of hydrophilic polymer concentrations. In Carex kujuzana and Carex morrowii 'Aurea variegata', growth decreased with increase of hydrophilic polymer concentrations. 30 days after planting, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii, Euonymus fortunei var. radicans, Carex kujuzana, and Carex morrowii 'Aurea variegata' died back due to lowest soil thickness (5 cm), but Sedum spurium 'Dragon's blood' and Lampranthus spectabilis had greater than 90% survival.
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