Effect of Super Absorbent Polymer(Tarawat A200) and Irrigation Interval on Growth of Almond Sapling

Limitation of water resources in the country and its great impact on agricultural and natural resources play a crucial role in the efficiency of water use pattern. Using super absorbent polymer may be one of the methods to minimize the stress of weather dryness in the arid and semi-arid regions. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of super absorbent application and increasing irrigation intervals on the growth of almond Amygdalus communis sapling. The experimental design was factorial based on randomized complete block design with two factors، super absorbent at 4 levels (0، 60،100 and125 g/100kg soil) and irrigation intervals at 4 levels (7،12،18 and 24 day periods)، with 3 replication in 2 years. Result of the study provided evidence that the use of super absorbent at the end of first growth season in all irrigation intervals did not produce any significant effect on the growth behavior of almond sapling. However، only in the middle of growth season (July) significant effect was observed in some of growth parameters such as branch height and average canopy cover diameter at 24 days irrigation interval with 60 g. of super absorbent application. For all of growth parameters in the second year، the 7- day irrigation interval showed significant differences with other three intervals. Only the height of main branch at 7-day and 12- day irrigation intervals fell in one group and showed no significant differenc.