Effect of super absorbent polymer, potassium sulphate and farmyard manure on physiological characteristics of millet (Setaria italica) optimum irrigation and drought stress conditions

Drought stress is one of the most important problems of agriculture and an important factor of plant product reduction. Application of absorbent materials can help usage of sporadic rain fall and cause more maintenance of water storage. In order to study the effect of super absorbent polymer، potassium sulfate and manure under drought condition and favorable irrigation on some traits of foxtail millet، a split plot experiment in a completely randomized block design in three replication was conducted in research field of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 1391. Irrigation in three levels (50،75،100 % F. C) as main plot and super absorbent polymer (100 kg/hec)، potassium sulfate (200 kg/hec)، farmyard (25ton/hec) and no use of them was as sub plot. Leaf chlorophyll index، relative water content، ion leakage، reducing sugar، proline and forage yield were evaluated. Results showed that decrease in irrigation causes a significant decrease in relative water content and forage yield and increase in leaf chlorophyll index، ion leakage percent، proline and reducing sugar. The most average yield of relative water content and forage yield and the least ion leakage percent، reducing sugar and proline was due to super absorbent polymer. Accordind to results super absorbent polymer can lessen damage of drought stress. The most forage in presence of super absorbent polymer demonstrates effective role of it under drought stress.