Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) have shown to be quite effective and useful in acting as a reservoir for water and some nutrients in arid and semiarid regions. There are many studies in Iran that have been performed in relation to SAPs and their useful application in agriculture; however, there is still a lack of its applied definition in arid regions. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of doing a meta-analysis of the results of studies conducted in Iran and answering a general question about whether the application of SAPs has been effective in enhancing the production or not, and if so, how much of SAP is recommended. To conduct this research, articles published during 2006–2016 on the subject of the effects of different rates of SAP application on yield and yield components of crops (including cereals, legumes, and medicinal and grassland plants) were investigated. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the mean consumption rate of SAPs for cereals, legumes, and medicinal and grassland plants was 83, 322, 1031, and 210 kg ha−1, respectively, and that, at these SAP application rates, the mean seed yield in cereals, medicinal plants, and legumes increased by 15.2, 12.6, and 38% (equivalent to 1059, 345, and 452 kg ha−1), respectively, compared with the control. Dry matter response to superabsorbent application was slower compared with the seed yield response. The mean consumption of 83 kg ha−1 of superabsorbent for cereals increased seed yield by 15.2% on average. According to the results, it seems that the application of 100 kg SAP ha−1 is the most appropriate rate for increasing seed and dry matter yields and satisfying economic aspects. These study findings may shed light on the environment and socioeconomic concerns and improve efficacy and reduction of costs.

中文翻译：

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高吸水性聚合物能否提高干旱地区的植物产量？

高吸水性聚合物 (SAP) 已被证明在充当干旱和半干旱地区的水和某些营养物的储库方面非常有效和有用。在伊朗进行了许多与 SAPs 及其在农业中的有用应用相关的研究；然而，在干旱地区仍然缺乏适用的定义。因此，进行这项研究的目的是对在伊朗进行的研究结果进行荟萃分析，并回答一个普遍的问题，即 SAPs 的应用是否对提高产量有效，如果是，那么在多大程度上是有效的？ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?推荐使用 SAP。为了开展这项研究，2006-2016 年发表的文章涉及不同 SAP 施用率对作物（包括谷物、豆类、和药用植物和草地植物）进行了调查。荟萃分析的结果表明，谷物、豆类、药用植物和草地植物的 SAPs 平均消耗率分别为 83、322、1031 和 210 kg ha-1，并且在这些 SAP 施用率下，与对照相比，谷物、药用植物和豆类的平均种子产量分别增加了 15.2%、12.6% 和 38%（相当于 1059、345 和 452 kg ha-1）。与种子产量响应相比，对超吸收剂施用的干物质响应更慢。平均消耗 83 kg ha-1 的谷物超强吸收剂可使种子产量平均增加 15.2%。根据结果​​，似乎施用 100 kg SAP ha-1 是提高种子和干物质产量并满足经济方面的最合适的比率。