Evaluation of Application of Superabsorbent Polymers in Green Space of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions with emphasis on Iran

Regarding the considerable amount of Iran areas were occupied by arid and semi-arid climates, establishment, maintaining and expansion of green space faced to severe water resources limitation. Since 30 years ago, a program entitled Xeriscaping has established due to water efficient use in green space of arid and semi-arid regions. The second principle of this program refers to physical amendment. One of soil amendment materials is super absorbent polymer. Application of these materials in agriculture goes back to 1960's. Regarding that application of these materials in agriculture and especially in green space of Iran is a new phenomenon, knowing and surveying the aspects of its application is the first step of its application development. In this paper, we tried to refer to previous studies in this field shortly and application amount, effects on physical characteristics of soil, the way of plant species (flowers and ground cover plants, turfgrasses, trees and shrubs) reaction to its application and amount of water requirement reduction will be reviewed. Eventually, regarding the results, the most suitable amount for using in green space of arid and semi-arid regions of Iran will be reported.