Abstract
In this study, the effects of potassium acrylate gel on hydric, photosynthetic and development parameters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings maintained in a growing room were evaluated. Seedlings were divided into two batches and irrigated every four to seven days for five weeks. Control seedlings without hydrogel were kept adequately hydrated. Hydrogel application reduced the amount of irrigation water by 40-80% and the frequency to every 3-7 days. High amounts of hydrogel reduced transpiration rate and stomatal conductance, but increased chlorophyll concentration per leaf area, net photosynthetic rate and external water use efficiency. Intracellular CO2 concentration remained unchanged. Low amounts of hydrogel slightly increased plant height and stem thickness, while all amounts of hydrogel increased the number of leaves but did not affect the number of branches. These findings demonstrate that the use of hydrogel reduces water and irrigation frequency without negatively affecting the development and vigor of tomato seedlings during the nursery stage.
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