Efficacy of a Hydrophilic Gel as a Transplant Aid

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of a hydrophilic gel used as a medium amendment or root dip on plant response to moisture deficits. Tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedling roots were dipped in water or hydrophilic gel solution (7.4 g·liter −1 ) and planted in sand or a 1 sand : 1 very fine sandy loam mixture (v/v). Seedlings were also planted in the same medium amended with 3 kg·m −3 hydrophilic gel. Leaf water potentials and stomatal resistances were determined at various times after a final irrigation. Significantly greater leaf water potentials occurred in new transplants in sand amended with gel than in control or root-dipped plants. No effect on either leaf water potential or stomatal resistance was apparent for any treatment in finer textured soils. There were no treatment effects on plants exposed to the same gel treatment and allowed to establish for 2 weeks prior to withholding water.