Effect of water stress and polymer (Superjazeb A200) on yield and water use efficiency of corn (Zea mays L.) in Birjand region

Drought stress is one of the most important problems of crop production in arid and semiarid regions of the world. The application of materials like superabsorbent polymers in soil could increase water retention in soil which results in reducing water use and fertilizer leaching. Such materials might decrease the impact of water deficiency on plants and improve the yield in the arid and semiarid regions. In order to study the effect of superabsorbent under drought stress conditions on yield, yield components and some physiological characteristic of corn (Zea mays L.), a split plot experiment based on RCBD was conducted with three replications at Research Farm of Birjand Islamic Azad University. Irrigation treatments with three levels (I1=100, I2=70 and I3=40 percents of plant water requirement) were considered as the main plot and the superabsorbent with four levels (S1=0, S2=35, S3=70 and S4=105 kg per hectare) were chosen as subplot. Results showed that the drought stress and superabsorbent had a significant effect on the yield and water use efficiency. The highest seed yield was recorded at optimum irrigation treatment (100 percent plant water requirement) and 105 kg superabsorbent per hectare and the lowest seed yield was observed at the most severe stress treatment (40 percent plant water requirement) and the control treatment (lack of superabsorbent). It seems that superabsorbent causes yield increase through decreasing the negative effects of drought stress on plant. So any factor that increases the seed yield, might directly affect the water use efficiency.