Vol-7, Special Issue-Number4-June, 2016, pp538-542 http://www.bipublication.com
Research Article
Investigation on use of superabsorbent materials in
forest seedling establishment
Jaafar Hosseinzadeh
Associate Professor, Agriculture and
Natural Resources Research Center, Ilam, Iran
ABSTRACT:
The establishment of appropriate trees in arid and semi-arid regions that are at risk of desertification is an important stepto control soil erosion and reforestation of degraded lands.The success of tree planting, especially in the Zagros forests due to low rainfall, shortage of water resources or difficult access conditions, is not satisfied.One way to overcome this problem is use of absorbent polymers, which increase the water holding capacity of light soils and will enhance the success of vegetation development programs.In this study, the use of a water-absorbent polymer or hydrogel (brand ofHerbosorb) to help in reforestation and the establishment of three species of forest trees: oak (Quercusbrantii L.), pistachio (PistaciaatlanticaDesf.) and hackberry (CeltiscaucasicaWilld.), that are native plants and resistant to the conditions, in lower edge of the ruined land of Zagros forests,Ilamprovince, is tested.The factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted and it was determined the effect of two factors superabsorbent and species.The results showed that there is no significant difference in survival between the species,but the difference between the treated superabsorbent at 95% is significant and shows that the superabsorbent has a positive effect (about 17%) on survival. According to the same habitat requirements of species,interaction between tree species and superabsorbent treatment was not significant in this study.
Keywords: superabsorbent, seedling establishment, Zagros forests, survival
INTRODUCTION:
Water restrictions as a major health problem in many parts of the world, including Iran, put in danger the agricultural development, preservation and restoration of natural resources (Puoci& Lemma, 2008). In the arid regions of Iran, water is the most limiting factor for vegetation and affects the growth of many plants (Beigi and Haghshenas, 2012).The mortality of seedlings after planting in such poor condition will be high (Vilagrosa et al., 1997; Vallejo &Alloza, 1998).The situation in the future with global climate change, which increases the temperature and intensity of periods of drought, it will be worse (Chirino et al., 2011).
Lack of precipitation and its poor distribution, evapotranspiration and a few soil water-holding capacities in dry areas of Iran, is one of the main challenges for the establishment of forest seedlings for reforestation programs.Therefore,
new methods to protect stored soil moisture, increase water retention in the soil and increase the efficiency of the success of planting trees and reducing administrative costs, is a fundamental necessity (Jafarian and Lahooti, 2006).
consumption in a period of growth, it is necessary (Banj-Shafieiet al., 2012). So, if we can increase the success rate of the tree planting projects,by using new techniques, it is a major step in the restoration of degraded lands and preventing forest degradation in arid and semiarid regions.
Super absorbents that are chemical compounds and derived from petrol oilare used in order to increase the efficiency of water use in dry conditions (Hashem-Beik, 2008). This hydrophilic gel material, having a three-dimensional structure of the polymer chain, that can swell in water and having the speed and high capacity to water absorption, act as a mini reservoir for the seedling roots (Beigi and Haghshenas, 2012).Many of these substances have no adverse environmental effects on soil (Finck, 1992). This property has caused the material to be successfully used in agriculture and reforestation (Viero et al., 2002; Beniwal et al., 2011; Chirino, 2011; Gunes, 2007).
Use absorbent polymers in the soil (especially in light soils) increase the water holding capacity of soil and success of vegetation development programs in arid and semi-arid regions.Thus, it is necessary to assess the impact of these materials to maintain soil moisture and increase the possibility of the establishment of seedlings (with respect to the problem of water supply in these areas), so that in case of favorable results, use more confidently may be recommended. Zagros forests in classified Iran's forests, with a surface of about 5 million hectares is of the largest forest habitat,in terms of performance are not considered in commercial forests. However, to protect the soil and water resources, the production of byproducts and environmental values has special importance (Jazirehee and Ebrahimi, 2004).Ilamprovince, is located in the central part of the Zagros forests.
Land reclamation and low altitude slopes facing south on the edge of the Zagros forests, which are constantly exposed to environmental stresses and pressures of operation, including natural resources management programs in the Zagros.Usually the water shortages and soil moisture as the important reasons for the success of these programs has been announced.
In this study, the use of a water-absorbent polymer or hydrogel (brand ofHerbosorb) to help in reforestation and the establishment of native forest tree seedlings, in lower edge of the ruined land of Zagros forests,Ilamprovince, is tested.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The study, in the ruined forest land in the foothills north of the city of Ilam, as part of the lower edge of oak forest in the central Zagros, is done.This region, with an altitude of about 1600 meters above sea level and with relatively light soil, is stay longer in the sun due to the slopes.According to the weather station in the city of Ilam, long-term annual average temperature is 16.8, the average annual temperature maximum and minimum, 22.5 and 11 ° C respectively, long-term average rainfall 571 mm, and average annual relative humidity is 40%.Given the region's semi-arid climate, the average annual evaporation from water surface (about 2004mm) is relatively high. Because of the relatively light textured, low organic matter and low fertility levels in the soil, reform operations such as planting trees and seeding is necessary for the authorities.
In this research, the use of a water-absorbent polymer or hydrogel (brand ofHerbosorb) to help in reforestation and the establishment of three species of forest trees: oak (Quercusbrantii L.), pistachio (Pistaciaatlantica) and hackberry (Celtiscaucasica), that are native plants and resistant to the conditions, in lower edge of the ruined land of Zagros forests,Ilamprovince, is tested.Physical and chemical soil analysis is presented in Table 1. The factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted and it was determined the effect of two factors superabsorbent and species.
Required seedlings of 90 trees for any species and a total of 270 trees prepared from the nursery of Ilam's natural resources,with seed origin the area forest, and were implanted in suitable season (the first half of March).
superabsorbent was added during planting seedlings.Holes are the same size, with a diameter of 50cm and depth of 60cm, and to take advantage of rainfall, around any of holes a crescent bank was established.
Percent survivals of established seedlings, after the elapse of a dry season were used as the measurement data. The results were analyzed with SAS software and data comparison was done by Duncan method.
Table 1: Chemical analysis of soil sample in studied area
Tisue Clay
Silt Sand Organic
carbon Total
nitrogen Phosphorus
K PH
EC mm
S-C-L 25 22 53 1.2
0.1
19.4
240
8.07 0.17
RESULTS:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of superabsorbent in the survival of the three implanted species. The highest survival rate (the rate 100%) occurred in all three species of oak, pistachio and Hackberry for superabsorbent used treatment.
The results for analysis of the superabsorbent treatment effect on three species planted showed that there were no significant differences between species, whereas significant differences between treatments(use of superabsorbent).There are positive effects of superabsorbent on the seedlings viability (Table 2).
Table 2: Analysis of variance for the treatments,species and use of superabsorbent
Pr > F F Value
Mean Square Type III SS
DF Source
0.6003 0.53
123.388889 246.777778
2 Specie
0.0373 5.29
1233.388889 1233.388889
1 Treatment
0.354 1.132
259.056 518.112
2 Specie* Treatment
The mean percentage of species survival Duncan methods indicates that there is no significant difference between the species, as all three species in a group (Table 3).
Table 3: Comparison of different species seedlings survival in the study area by Duncan
Duncan Grouping Mean N Specie
A 85.500 6 Pistachio
A 78.000 6 Celtis
A 77.333 6 Quercus
The mean percent survival in superabsorbent treatments by Duncan shows significant differences between them and they are separated into two groups (Table 4).
Table 4: Comparison of seedlings survival in superabsorbent treatments by Duncan
Duncan Grouping Mean N Treatment
A 88.556 9 Polymer
B 72.000 9 Non
DISCUSSION:
Although the average percentage of species survival was not significantly different, the pistachio has the highest survival relative to the hackberry and oak species. However, all species in some repeatshave survived to 100 percent; important note is that, the highest survival always occurred in used superabsorbent treatment.
Compare the use of superabsorbent treated at 95 percent, indicating a significant difference between the survivals of seedlings. It seems the
about 50% reduce in amount of water consumed and the frequency of irrigation. Thus because of the economic benefits, they has been recommended its application.
Perhaps if instead of the studied species, sensitive species to drought and environmental conditions was used, the differences were visible, distinctive and more prominent.For example, hydrophilic gel,despite the drought, led to increase the survival of Pinushalepensis and Populuseuphraticaspecies (Huttermann et al., 1999; Luo et al., 2009; Apostol et al., 2009).The results of a similar study in a nursery in Spain, showed that the addition of superabsorbent in bed planting oak tree seedlings (Quercussuber L.) reduce the stress during the first growing season after planting, and they proposed the use of superabsorbent to improve rehabilitation methods and restoration of forest in dry ecosystems (Chirino et al, 2011). The results showed that, if there is a shortage of water and the need for the establishment of good seedlings, the use of superabsorbent useful. This in our country, that in the international division of rainfall is an arid country with average annual rainfall of 210 mm, is of great importance. The use of superabsorbent could be one way of providing moisture to plants to the optimal use of water in the region and it is economically viable.
Superabsorbent treatments and species interactions in this study was not significant, perhaps because it is in the same habitat needs of the species, which are present naturally together in the forests of the region.
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