Effect of Water Super Absorbent Hydrogel on Yield and Some Physiological Characteristics of Common Bean, Sesame and Maize in Drought Conditions

In order to evaluate effect of water superabsorbent application on yield and some physiological characteristics and water productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) in water stress conditions, a split plots experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted during 2015-2016 growing season, in Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Irrigation levels (50 and 100 percent of water requirement) and application (80 kg.ha-1) and non-application of water superabsorbent assigned to main and sub plots, respectively. The results showed that in bean, the highest seed yield (2191kg.ha-1), dry matter yield (4588 kg.ha-1), weight seed per plant (10.89 g), height plant (97 cm), LAI (9.39), CGR (8.35 g.m-2.day-1), soil nitrogen (0.163%), phosphorous (0.0082%) and pH (9.68) obtained in treatment of 100 percent of water requirement and application of water superabsorbent. In sesame, application of water superabsorbent in drought stress conditions (50 percent of water requirement) increased seed weight per plant (22.17 g), plant height (91 cm), LAI (9.70), CGR (6.58 g.m-2.day-1) and soil nitrogen (0.101%), phosphorous (0.0063%) and pH (9.32) by 24, 30, 32, 59, 20, 44 and 17 percent compared to control, respectively. In maize, the highest seed yield (22522 kg.ha-1), dry matter yield (39502 kg.ha-1), seed weight per plant (332 g), plant height (194 cm), LAI (8.10), CGR (9.43 g.m-2.day-1) and soil nitrogen (0.095%) and pH (9.70) observed in treatment of 100 percent of water requirement and application of water superabsorbent.