Effects of Super Absorbent Polymer A200 on the Growth, Yield and Some Physiological Responses in Sweet Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.) Under Various Irrigation Regimes

Abstract

Drought stress is one of the most important limitations of agricultural productions in arid and semi-arid regions including Iran. By applying some of the additives such as super absorbent polymers (SAP) we can achieve good planning for irrigation and optimize use of water resources as an important strategy in these regions. To investigate effects of various levels of SAP and irrigation intervals on quantity and quality properties of sweet pepper in greenhouse of Agriculture Faculty of Ilam University, an experiment was carried out in factorial layout based on complete random blocks design (CRBD) with three replications. The factors were five SAP (0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 weight percent) and four irrigation levels (5, 7, 9, 11 days). Results of statistical analysis showed SAP, irrigation levels and their interactions had a significant effect on morphological, physiological and biological parameters of sweet pepper. By increasing irrigation intervals and drought stress, growth parameters, yield, chlorophyll and relative water content (RWC) of leaf were reduced and total soluble solids (TSS) electrolytes leakage and proline content increased. In this study, SAP application reduced prolonged irrigation effects on pepper by increasing growth rate, yield, leaf chlorophyll content and RWC and by reducing TSS, electrolyte leakage and proline accumulation. The results of this study showed that SAP can store and absorb considerable water and reduce negative effects of water shortage on plants.