Abstract
Abstract Underground water pollution associated with nitrate leaching has become a major concern in areas with intensive cereal production; in areas with dry climates, water scarcity is the main limitation to crop production. We thus hypothesized that use of super absorbent polymers (SAP) may effectively increase nitrogen use efficiency by minimizing leaching and enhancing water and nitrate retention in the soil. Here, we evaluated nitrate movement in soils amended with SAP and determined changes in maize growth based on enzyme activities and physiological parameters. Nitrate retention was studied in six undisturbed soil lysimeters under different fertilizer (standard, medium or 75% and low, or 50% of standard) rates with (30 kg/ha) or without SAP. Maize yield decreased 20% under medium and 38% under low fertilizer rates but SAP application increased yield (P
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