EFFECT OF SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER ON SALT AND DROUGHT RESISTANCE OF EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS.

In this study, the effect of Super-AB-A-200 polymer on salt and drought resistance of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. was evaluated. The treatments were: (1) Control, Control + polymer; (2) NaCl, NaCl+ polymer; (3) Drought, Drought + polymer; (4) Drought + NaCl, Drought + NaCl + polymer. The results showed that Super-AB-A-200 in root medium helped E. globulus cuttings to resist the salinity and drought stresses, because of the following reasons: (1) E. globulus roots absorbed the held water from Super-AB-A-200 polymer in soil water-deficit conditions; (2) in saline conditions, Super-AB-A-200 retained Cl^- and Na⁺ in the soil solution because of their high water-holding capability, moreover, the exchangeable K⁺ included in Super-AB-A-200 resulted in an amended K⁺/Na⁺ balance in salinized plants; (3) Super-AB-A-200 helped E. globulus cuttings to resist interactive effects of salinity and drought stresses, which was essentially justified by their salt- and water-holding capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]