Study on Seed Emergence and Seedling Growth of <i>Artemisia Desertorum</i> with Superabsorbent Polymers

Abstract

In this study, the emergence rate, emergence potential, root length, stem length, water consumption, and biomass around a root system were used as evaluation indexes, and we used the laboratory-prepared super absorbent resin watermelon rind (WMR)-p (AA–co–DAAM) (superabsorbent polymer 1—SAP1), WMR-p (AA–co–DAAM)/palygorskite (PGS) (SAP2) in a laboratory and commercially available water-retaining agents (SAPRX and SAPHDB) to assist the emergence of Artemisiadesertorum seeds and seedling growth; then, their water absorption and thermal stability were discussed. The results showed that the thermal stability of an SAP prepared in the laboratory and the water consumption during seed emergence, root length, and stem length after emergence were better than those of an SAP purchased on the market, and this information could help to promote the emergence and seedling growth of Artemisiadesertorum. While enhancing the drought resistance of plants, using a laboratory-produced SAP can effectively reduce the number of artificial irrigations.

Keywords

• superabsorbent polymer
• drought resistance
• <i>Artemisia desertorum</i>
• seed emergence
• seedling growth