Effect of Superabsorbent Polymer on Salt and Drought Resistance of Eucalyptus Globulus

In this study, the effect of Super-AB-A-200 polymer on salt and drought resistance of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. was evaluated. The treatments were: (1) Control, Control + polymer; (2) NaCl, NaCl+ polymer; (3) Drought, Drought + polymer; (4) Drought + NaCl, Drought + NaCl + polymer. The results showed that Super-AB-A-200 in root medium helped E. globulus cuttings to resist the salinity and drought stresses, because of the following reasons: (1) E. globulus roots absorbed the held water from Super-AB-A-200 polymer in soil water-deficit conditions; (2) in saline conditions, Super-AB-A-200 retained Cl -and Na + in the soil solution because of their high water-holding capability, moreover, the exchangeable K + included in Super-AB-A-200 resulted in an amended K + /Na + balance in salinized plants;