Efficiency of Acryhope in Enhancing Drought Tolerance of Crops

Abstract

Acryhope, a commercial name of high water absorbing polymer was tested both in pot and field for its beneficial effect on drought tolerance of some crops. A Satuk series soil (Paleustults/Red-Yellow Podzolics), a Northeast sandy soil of Thailand which is low in organic matter and phosphorous contents was used in the pot experiment. Acryhope was mixed with the soil at different rates and eucalyptus, neem, para rubber and cashew nut seedling were grown. The result showed that plant available water and soil aeration were improved with Acryhope application. After stopped watering, plants could survive longer under the Acryhope application treatments. Analysis of soil after cropping revealed that extractable sodium content and pH of the soil increased when Acryhope was mixed with the soil. Field experiment was carried out with para rubber seedling at the Huoy Pong Field Crop Research Center, Rayong Province. Two rates of Acryhope, 50 and 100 g per tree and two methods of application, mixing Acryhope thoroughly with soil and placing Acryhope within the rhizosphere were investigated. The results showed that Acryhope treatments increased plant height and dry weight of young para rubber trees. Also, placing Acryhope within the rhizosphere tended to be better than mixing it thoroughly with the soil.