Study on the Effects of Two Absorbent Polymers on Cabbage Growth

Based on the pot experiment,the effects of two super absorbent polymers,sodium polyacrylate (SP) and Polyacrylamide (PAM), on the growth of cabbage were studied.The results showed that soil evaporation was reduced as each super absorbent polymer was added into the soil at a ratio of 2/1000 by weight.The evaporation (average of two polymers) of sand and clay were reduced 35.5% and 22.8% respectively compared to the control.The effects of two polymers on the cabbage chlorophyll content were not notable while the impact caused by fertilizer was obviously.The production of cabbage was increased and the Root/shoot ratio was decreased.Compared to the control,the upground biomass and undergroud biomass of sand were increased 61.1% and 16.1% respectively,while the clay were 55.2% and 28.7%.Root/shoot ratio of sand was reduced 26.9% while the clay was reduced 16%.Soil bulk density of sand and clay was reduced 13.9% and 4.1% respectively;Water Use Efficiency was increased 59.1% when each polymer was used without added fertilizer,and the value increased got to 77.1% while fertilizer was used togenther.As a whole,the effects of PAM and SP on the cabbage grouth and soil were nearly the same.