Application of Superabsorbent in Microcatchments for Establishing Almond Orchards under Rainfed Condition

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

Considering the arid and semi-arid conditions in Iran, with average rainfall of less than 247mm, development of rainfed orchards has an important role in sustainable development of agriculture. To establish rainfed orchards in Iran in spite of deficiency in water resources, it is necessary to select suitable plant species and methods of establishing new orchards. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate some almond cultivars (Shahrood 7, 10, and 12) and integration of microcatchments and Stockosorb Superabsorbent for establishing rainfed orchards during 2008-2010. The use of Superabsorbent with microcatchment increased relative moisture content of soil in both years. But, in the first year, there was no significant difference between microcatchment treatments with and without Superabsorbent, while both of them showed significant difference with the treatment of Superabsorbent without microcatchment. In the second year, the highest relative moisture content of soil was in microcatchment treatment with Superabsorbent, because of higher seasonal rainfall that caused more vegetative growth in the young almond trees in that treatment compared to the other treatments. Among the almond cultivars studied, Shahrood 7 and 12 seemed more resistant and adaptable to dry conditions than Shahrood 10 cultivar, because of their better vegetative characteristics.

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Journal of Water Research in Agriculture
Volume 26, Issue 1
May 2012
Pages 93-104

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