Effects of Different Watering Intervals on Growth Performance of Abelmoschus Esculentus Presence with Super Absorbent Polymer Layer at the Root Zone with Moist Coir Dust Layers

Abstract

: Super Absorbent Polymers(SAP) isincreasingly being used for enhancing the water and nutrient use efficiencies in plants, creating a congenial and nourishing rhizospheric micro-environment for better plant growth and yield. Therefore, SAPs have been predominantly used in agricultural industry in recent past. The present experiment was conducted to assess the effects of different watering intervals on growth of Abelmoschus esculentus established in a potting media with SAP developed in Sri Lanka (SLSAP) as alayerat the root zone. Abelmoschus esculentus plants were established in pots added with potting mixture; sand, compost, top soil and burned paddy husk in the ratio of 1:1:1: ½ and the top layered with SLSAP as the middle, with moist coir dust layers from top and bottom. At 3, 5 and 7 days’ intervals watered while maintaining the control at 3 days watering without adding SLSAP.Yield, plant height, numbers of flowers per plant, leaf area, moisture content in whole plant and relative humidity of plant leaves were measured. Except plant height, dates of watering were significant for all other measured parameter (P < 0.05). Also, watering at a 3 days’ interval resulted in a good yield from Abelmoschus esculentus , prepared SLSAP added layer wise growth medium compared to plants grown in 3 days watering in control medium. Plants watered once in 7 days were observed to be wilted. However, adding water revived them showing no permanent wiling. Further, when frequency of watering was decreased from once in 3 days to 5 days and 7 days, growth parameters were reduced by certain percent.