Poly-γ-glutamic acid enhances the wheat yield, water use efficiency and soil physicochemical properties of the arid area in the Northwest China

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is an environment-friendly super absorbent polymer that can be used as a soil conditioner, which promising to improve crop productivity and cope with degradation. The objectives of this study are the effects γ-PGA on physicochemical properties winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Xinong 975) production in arid region Northwest China. According mass ratio soil, experiment treatments consisted four different application rates, were designated 0 (CK), 0.05% (P0.05), 0.1% (P0.1), 0.15% (P0.15), respectively. mixed samples uniformly filled into identical plastic pots. Each treatment had three replicates randomly distributed within 12 results indicated significantly increased saturated water content by 6.3-11.5%, field capacity 8.4-15.3%, plant available 5.1-12.5% compared CK. NO3−-N residue, enhanced proportions macro-aggregates yield 29.3-34.7%, WUE 21.2-33.3% main conclusion amount 0.05-0.1% degraded soil.