Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions

To study the effects of adding a superabsorbent (bentonite) to different substrates on the vegetative growth and yield of snap beans, two randomized complete block design experiments with 4 replications were conducted at Greenhouse of Isfahan University of Technology. In the first experiment, 9 treatments including rice hull, saw dust, sand and their combinations, with 10 and 20% superabsorbent (v/v) were used. The results showed that the highest stem length, number of nodes and leaves, shoot fresh weight and pod number were observed using rice hull (90%)+superabsorbent (10%). The lowest vegetative growth was related to treatments containing sand and superabsorbent. Increasing superabsorbent from 10 to 20% reduced vegetative growth parameters in most cases. Based on the results of the first experiment, sand treatment was deleted and in the second experiment rice hull, saw dust, perlite and their combinations with 5 and 10% superabsorbent were used. The results showed that the highest plant height, number of nodes and leaves, plant dry weight, branch number and yield were obtained in perlite (95%)+superabsorbent (5%) and pure perlite. Adding 5 and 10% superabsorbent to rice hull and saw dust caused a significant increase in the vegetative growth. This increase was higher for 10% superabsorbent compared to 5% superabsorbent. Finally, the results showed that adding 10% superabsorbent to rice hull and saw dust increased vegetative growth and yield, while it decreased the loss of nutrient solution.

Keywords: Vegetative growth, Yield, Snap beans, Bentonite, Substrate, Hydroponic.

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