Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Agronomy and Plant Breeding Department, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran.
10.22034/jppb.2026.70686.1401
Abstract
Objective: Drought stress has destructive effects on growth and performance of crops. Application of superabsorbent polymer can provide water and some nutrients to crops during the growth period. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of hydrogel polymer and drought stress on maize (variety MV 524 Maxima) characteristics.
Methods: The experiment was conducted as a split-plot design based on randomized complete blocks with three replications. The drought stress levels, 60 mm (control), 120 mm, and 180 mm, based on evaporation from the evaporation pan, were assigned in main plots. The levels of hydrogel polymer, 0 (control), 75, 150, and 225 kg/ha were arranged in subplots. Hydrogels were mixed and applied at the depth of 20-30 cm into the soil. Samples were taken from the young leaves at the seed filling stage to measure the photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzymes activities. Also, at maturity, mineral elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in the grains, biomass, grain yield, and yield components, including 1000- kernel weight, number of kernels per row, number of kernel rows per ear, and plant height were measured.
Results: Drought stress reduced photosynthesis pigments (chlorophyll “a”, chlorophyll “b” and carotenoids), N, P, and K content in the grains, the number of kernels per row, number of kernel rows per ear, and 1000-kernel weight. Also, drought stress increased the activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Application of hydrogel polymer had a positive effect on maize plants and at all drought levels, the highest grain yield, biomass, and the number of kernels per row were obtained with the highest amount of hydrogel polymer (225 kg/ha). However, hydrogel polymer decreased the CAT activity and the anthocyanin content, but it did not change number of kernel rows, 1000-kernel weight, ion content in the grains, and GPX activity, chlorophyll “a” and “b”, and carotenoids in the maize leaves.
Conclusion: The results indicated that application of 225 kg/ha hydrogel polymer had beneficial effect on maize and mitigated the harmful effects of drought stress.
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