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The influence of hydrogel soil amendment on the survival and growth of newly transplanted Pinus patula seedlings

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Abstract

Hydrogel amendments have been used to improve seedling survival and establishment particularly in dry environments. However, their effect on survival and growth of newly transplanted seedlings under varying water stress conditions is poorly known. In this regard, we examined the effects of Aqua Matrix Forestry®, a potassium-based water-absorbent polymer, on the survival and early growth of Pinus patula seedlings planted in early-, mid- and late-dry season in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. The late-dry season was hotter and received more rainfall than the early- and mid-dry season. Hydrogel increased seedling survival by 34 and 22% in the mid- and late-dry season, respectively. Also, hydrogel-treated seedlings were significantly taller than untreated seedlings (P < 0.001). The height to root collar diameter ratio of hydrogel-treated seedlings was greater than that of untreated seedlings only in the mid-dry season. In conclusion, increase in survival and early growth of hydrogel-treated seedlings suggests that hydrogels can be used to extend planting beyond the rainy season to include the dry months, a feat previously unattainable due to high seedling mortality. Further, these findings reflect similar findings with other hydrogels, suggesting that improved seedling survival and plant performance may be a general consequence of hydrogel amendments.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to Allied Timbers Ltd for allowing the research in their plantation and for providing the hydrogel Aqua Matrix Forestry® used in this study. At the time of the study, CM was employed by Allied Timbers Ltd. Special thanks also go to the reviewers for their time and effort that allowed us to increase the clarity and quality of our work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Science, National University of Science and Technology, Ascot, P.O. Box AC 939, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

    Ada Mudhanganyi, Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa & Robert Mwase

  2. Forest Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Science, National University of Science and Technology, Ascot, P.O. Box AC 939, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

    Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa

  3. Stapleford Forest, Allied Timbers Limited, 6 St Helens Drive, P.O. Box 322, Mutare, Zimbabwe

    Carlton Maravanyika

Authors
  1. Ada Mudhanganyi
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  2. Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa
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  3. Carlton Maravanyika
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  4. Robert Mwase
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa.

Additional information

Project funding: The study was funded by Allied Timbers Ltd, Zimbabwe.

The online version is available at http://www.springerlink.com

Corresponding editor: Zhu Hong.

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Mudhanganyi, A., Ndagurwa, H.G.T., Maravanyika, C. et al. The influence of hydrogel soil amendment on the survival and growth of newly transplanted Pinus patula seedlings. J. For. Res. 29, 103–109 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-017-0428-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-017-0428-1

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