Effects of a polymeric soil conditioner on the early growth of sunflowers

Rigas, F; Sachini, E; Chatzoudis, G; Kanellopoulos, N

dc.contributor.author	Rigas, F	en
dc.contributor.author	Sachini, E	en
dc.contributor.author	Chatzoudis, G	en
dc.contributor.author	Kanellopoulos, N	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:14:33Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:14:33Z
dc.date.issued	1999	en
dc.identifier.issn	0008-4271	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/13144
dc.relation.uri	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0032978812&partnerID=40&md5=0b857e967020283ddf0678ad246a7d26	en
dc.subject	Arid soils	en
dc.subject	Experimental design	en
dc.subject	Soil conditioners	en
dc.subject	Water economy	en
dc.subject.classification	Soil Science	en
dc.subject.other	soil amendment	en
dc.subject.other	Helianthus annuus	en
dc.title	Effects of a polymeric soil conditioner on the early growth of sunflowers	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.language	English	en
heal.publicationDate	1999	en
heal.abstract	In sandy soils water shortage may result in the loss of crops. During prolonged droughts an increase in time to wilting by a few days may diminish yield losses. Soil incorporation of highly water-swelling polymers (hydrogels) to increase time to wilting and to increase biomass production was investigated. The soil conditioner used was a post cross-linked sulphonated polystyrene. The soil used was a sand with sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) grown for 10 wk. The plant parameters examined were emergence time, growth, wilting time and aboveground biomass. Soil parameters included field capacity, wilting point and available water. These parameters were correlated with the polymer content in the soil and the degree of water equilibrium swelling of the polymers. The tests were performed in pots under water deficiency conditions. Second-order factorial designs were applied and the resultant mathematical models proved adequate and reasonable. The presence of soil conditioner resulted in improvements of all parameters investigated.	en
heal.publisher	AGR INST CANADA	en
heal.journalName	Canadian Journal of Soil Science	en
dc.identifier.isi	ISI:000079713900027	en
dc.identifier.volume	79	en
dc.identifier.issue	1	en
dc.identifier.spage	225	en
dc.identifier.epage	231	en