WATER-RETAINING POLYMER MITIGATES THE WATER DEFICIT IN Schinus terebinthifolia: PHOTOSYNTHETIC METABOLISM AND INITIAL GROWTH

ABSTRACT The use of water-retaining polymer (hydrogel) can mitigate the damage to the photosynthetic apparatus and increase the robustness of young plants under water deficit conditions. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water-retaining polymer on the morphophysiological aspects of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi submitted to water deficit. The studied water regimes were characterized by three plant irrigation management: 1) control: irrigated daily, 2) stress: water deficit (irrigation suspension) and 3) stress + hydrogel: water deficit + water-retaining polymer. The pla...