Effect of different levels of superabsorbent polymers on Water Use Efficiency and characteristics of sorghum in different water regimes

This research has been performed Effect of different levels of superabsorbent polymers on Water Use Efficiency and characteristics of sorghum in different water regimes. The experiment was conducted oný Kavar city. Factorial testing was carried out in a randomized Split plot complete block design (RCBD) in three replications and twelve treatments. Main factors included irrigation in three levels: (I1: 100%, I2: 65%, I3: 30% of water requirement), secondary factors included superabsorbent polymers in four levels: (S1: Control, S2: 35kg.ha, S3: 75kg.ha, S4: 110kg.ha). Characterized measured included: Yield, Water Use Efficiency, one thousand seed weight, number of tiller per shrub, number of seeds per cluster, stem diameter. Results showed that drought stress had significant effect on number of seed in cluster and one thousand seed weight specifically in reproductive growth stage. Our finding indicated I2 and I3 treatments had decreased Water Use Efficiency compared to I1, 24%, 50% respectively. In other hand added 110kg.ha is caused to increase Water Use Efficiency to 40%. Evaluation of interaction of factors indicated I2S2 and I2S3 treatments have same Water Use Efficiency with I1S1 and not observed significant difference between them. Results indicated the yield of I2S4 treatment (4055kg.ha) (65% water requirement and 110kg.ha superabsorbent) only 13% less than the I1S4 (4631 kg.ha) (100% water requirement and 110kg.ha superabsorbent). Accordance to our findings I2S4 treatment with 35% water economy and adequate yield is recommended for areas with same condition to kavar.