THE EFFECTS OF SUPER ABSORBENT POLYMER APPLICATION ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum L.) PLANTS GROWN BY SOILLESS AGRICULTURE TECHNIQUE

摘要

This study, it was aimed to determine the effects of super absorbent polymers (SAP) on plant growth, yield, hormone level, leaf pigment and nutrient contents, enzyme activities, organic acid and amino acid composition, lipid peroxidation level in tomato and the amount of drained water in soilless culture. For this aim, three levels of SAPs (0, 5 and 10 g slab-1 ) were applied into cocopeat slabs before planting seedlings in randomized plots. The results showed that the SAPs added to cocopeat substrate increased plant growth and yield by increasing leaf nutrient, pigment and hormone contents in tomato plants. However, SAP applications reduced lipid peroxidation, H2O2 content, antioxidant enzym activities and abscisic acid level. SAP treatment increased organic acid contents about 9.5-24.7%, except for butyric and maleic acid. In general, SAP treatment increased the amino acid contents in leaves, but decreased mainly proline, aspartate and hydroxyproline contents. The presence of sufficient water and nutrients in plants’ root zones with low force allowed them to grow without stress. A 10 g polymer application gave better results than other doses on investigated parameters. In conclusion, SAPs can be used in soilless tomato farming, due to its beneficial effects on plant growth, yield and water saving.