Comparing effect of hydrogel and compost on establishment and growth properties of Haloxilon aphyllum

The limited water resources and available precipitations can be used in water storage process using modern and convenient water and soil management, such as compost, organic fertilizers, and polymers. In this study, the effect of physical soil amendments using superabsorbent polymer (in the four levels of %0, %1, %2, %3), and compost (in the four levels of %0, %0.5, %1, %1.5),on Haloxilon aphyllum plants.in the field condition by means of pots was assessed. The values of different traits including plant height, plant fresh and dry weights and root weight, internodes length and collar diameter were measured. The experiment was completely randomized design (16 treatments and four replications). In comparison with unamended soil, the compost-polymer amended soil showed promoted emergence, establishment and enhanced measured traits in plantlets. Values of plant water requirement index were significantly different compared to the control soil treatment. In Comparison with polymer amendment, the compost amendment shows more enhancements in the average values of the measured traits. However application of both amendments brought about greater results.