OPEN JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND CLIMATE CHANGE Effects of Hydrogels on Soil Moisture and Growth of Leucaena Pallida in Semi Arid Zone of Kongelai, West Pokot County

Studies on the effects of hydrogels on soil amendments, moisture conservation and growth of Leucaena pallida in arid and semi-arid lands was carried out. Seedlings of L. pallida were established both in the nursery and in the field with and without hydrogels. Field experiment was carried out with three replications and three concentration hydrogels levels (7g, 11g and 15 g) and control seedlings established in soils without hydrogels. In the nursery, root collar diameter and heights were measured every two weeks upto eight weeks. Seedlings established without hydrogels in the nursery were transplanted into field soils with none, 7g, 11g and 15g of hydrogels. Root collar diameter and height were again measured every month for three months. In addition, soil was collected randomly once every month from the base of each seedling and analyzed for soil moisture using standard laboratory procedures. All data were subjected to analysis of variance. Results show that there was a significant difference in the height and root collar diameter growth of the species and at different level of hydrogels. This suggests that use of hydrogels in the nursery soils retards plant growth but improves growth in the field. Hydrogels increased soil moisture volume from 8.3 % to 10 % in H15g level of hydrogels under L. pallida after transplanting. It was concluded that hydrogels does not contribute to growth of seedlings in the nursery but it does so after transplanting. Hydrogels increase soil moisture in the soil therefore recommended for use in semi arid lands to boost the survival and growth of seedlings. Keywords