干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

In arid and semiarid regions of northern China, there is an increasing interest in using water-saving superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for field crop production. Meanwhile, there is no scientific study done to determine a specific rate of SAP to be applied for winter wheat. Field experiments were conducted during 2009-2010 winter wheat growing season to evaluate the effectiveness of different rates of SAP (low, 10; medium, 20; high, 30 and very high, 40 kg ha(-1)) for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in a drought-affected field of northern China. Although wheat yield increased little for low or medium rate, it increased significantly for high and very high rate by 30.8 and 30.0%, respectively. At the same time plant height, biomass accumulation, harvest index and relative water content as well as protein, sugar and starch contents in the grain also increased significantly following SAP treatments. The optimum application rate of SAP in the study area would be 30 kg ha(-1) as it increases both wheat yield and soil fertility. Lower rates (10 and 20 kg ha(-1)) are not sufficient and higher rate (40 kg ha(-1)) is not economic. We suggest that the application of SAP at 30 kg ha(-1) could be an efficient soil management practice for winter wheat production in the drought-affected regions of northern China or the areas with similar ecologies.