[
Abdallah, A. M. (2019). The effect of hydrogel particle size on water retention properties and availability under water stress. Int. Soil Water Conserv. Res., 7, 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2019.05.001.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Akhter, J., Mahmood, K., Malik, K. A., Mardan, A., Ahmad, M., Iqbal, M. M. (2004). Effects of hydrogel amendment on water storage of sandy loam and loam soils and seedling growth of barley, wheat and chickpea. Plant Soil Environ., 50, 463–469. https://doi.org/10.17221/4059-pse.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Babaj, I., Sallaku, G., Balliu, A. (2014). The effects of endogenous mycorrhiza (Glomus spp.) on plant growth and yield of grafted cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) under common commercial greenhouse conditions. Albanian J. Agric. Sci., 13 (2), 24–28.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Balliu, A., Bani, A., Sulēe, S. (2007a). Nitrogen effects in the relative growth rate and its components of pepper (Capsicum annuum) and eggplant (Solanum melongena) seedlings. Acta Hortic., 747, 257–262.10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.747.30
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Balliu, A, Sallaku, G., Kuci, S., Cota, E., Kaciu, S. (2007b). The effect of major nutrients (NPK) on the growth rate of pepper and eggplant seedlings. Acta Hortic., 729, 341–346.10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.729.56
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Balliu, A., Sallaku, G. (2017). Exogenous auxin improves root morphology and restores growth of grafted cucumber seedlings. Hortic. Sci., 44, 82–90. https://doi.org/10.17221/53/2016-HORTSCI.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Balliu, A, Maršić, N. K., Gruda, N. (2017a). Seedling production. In: Good Agricultural Practices for Greenhouse Vegetable Production in the South East European Countries: Principles for sustainable intensification of smallholder farms. Plant Production and Protection Paper 230, Rome, pp. 189–206.10.18690/978-961-286-045-5.34
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Balliu, A., Sallaku, G., Nasto, T. (2017b). Nursery management practices influence the quality of vegetable seedlings. Italus Hortus, 24, 39–52. https://doi.org/10.26353/j.itahort/2017.3.3952.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Balliu, A., Vuksani, G., Nasto, T., Haxhinasto, L., Kaēiu, S. (2008). Grafting effects on tomato growth rate, yield and fruit quality under saline irrigation water. Acta Hortic., 801, 1161–1166.10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.801.141
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Baran, A., Zaleski, T., Kulikowski, E., Wieczorek, J. (2015). Hydrophysical and biological properties of sandy substrata enriched with hydrogel. Polish J. Environ. Stud., 24, 2355–2362. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/59258.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Fascella, G. (2015). Growing substrates alternative to peat for ornamental plants. In: Asaduzzaman, Md. (Ed.). Soilless Culture: Use of Substrates for the Production of Quality Horticultural Crops. https://doi.org/10.5772/59596.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Cannazza, G., Cataldo, A., Benedetto, E. De, Demitri, C., Madaghiele, M., Sannino, A. (2014). Experimental assessment of the use of a novel superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for the optimization of water consumption in agricultural irrigation process. Water, 6, 2056–2069. DOI: 10.3390/w6072056.10.3390/w6072056
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Damalas, C. A., Koutroubas, S. D., Fotiadis, S. (2019). Hydro-priming effects on seed germination and field performance of faba bean in spring sowing. Agriculture, 9 (9), 201. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9090201.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Díaz-pérez, M., Cara, M. De, Camacho, F. (2011). Effect of dose and kind of compost on the quality of seedlings of watermelon grafted onto pumpkin in industrial seedbed. Acta Hortic., 898, 271–278. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.898.33.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Driesen, E., Van den Ende, W., De Proft, M., Saeys, W. (2020). Influence of environmental factors light, CO2, temperature, and relative humidity on stomatal opening and development: A review. Agronomy, 10, 1975. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121975.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Elshafie, H. S., Camele, I. (2021). Applications of absorbent polymers for sustainable plant protection and crop yield. Sustainability, 13 (6), 3253. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063253.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Elshafie, H. S., Nuzzaci, M., Logozzo, G., Gioia, T., Camele, I. (2020). Biological investigations on the role of hydrogel formulations containing bioactive natural agents against some common phytopathogens of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and seed germination. J. Biol. Res., 93, 114–122. https://doi.org/10.4081/jbr.2020.9219.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Gago, J., Daloso, D. de M., Figueroa, C. M., Flexas, J., Fernie, A. R., Nikoloski, Z. (2016). Relationships of leaf net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and mesophyll conductance to primary metabolism: A multispecies meta-analysis approach. Plant Physiol., 171, 265–279. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.15.01660.485467526977088
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Lu, Z., Percy, R. G., Qualset, C. O., Zeiger, E. (1998). Stomatal conductance predicts yields in irrigated Pima cotton and bread wheat grown at high temperatures. J. Exp. Bot., 49, 453–460. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/49.special_issue.453.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Maluin, F. N., Hussein, M. Z., Nik Ibrahim, N. N. L., Wayayok, A., Hashim, N. (2021). Some emerging opportunities of nanotechnology development for soilless and microgreen farming. Agronomy, 11, 1213. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061213.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Melo, R. A. C., Jorge, M. H. A., Bortolin, A., Boiteux, L. S., Ribeiro, C., Marconcini, J. M. (2019). Growth of tomato seedlings in substrates containing a nanocomposite hydrogel with calcium montmorillonite (NC-MMT). Hortic. Bras., 37, 199–203. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-053620190210.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Montesano, F. F., Parente, A., Santamaria, P., Sannino, A., Serio, F. (2015). Biodegradable superabsorbent hydrogel increases water retention properties of growing media and plant growth. Agric. Agric. Sci. Procedia, 4, 451–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaspro.2015.03.052.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Niinemets, Ü. (2010). A review of light interception in plant stands from leaf to canopy in different plant functional types and in species with varying shade tolerance. Ecol. Res., 25, 693–714. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-010-0712-4.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Paudel, V. R., Gupta, V. N. P. (2008). Efects of some essential oils on seed germination and seedling length of Parthenium hysterophorous L. Ecoprint, 15, 69–73.10.3126/eco.v15i0.1945
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Ranal, M. A., De Santana, D. G. (2006). How and why to measure the germination process? Rev. Bras. Bot., 29, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-84042006000100002.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Sallaku, G., Sandén, H., Babaj, I., Kaciu, S., Balliu, A., Rewald, B. (2019). Specific nutrient absorption rates of transplanted cucumber seedlings are highly related to RGR and influenced by grafting method, AMF inoculation and salinity. Sci. Hortic. (Amsterdam), 243, 177–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.08.027.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Sallaku, G., Vuksani, G., Balliu, A. (2020). Seed germination and initial growth of pepper seedlings is influenced by environment temperature and priming method. J. Agric. Stud., 8, 540. https://doi.org/10.5296/jas.v8i4.17831.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Sasmal, P. K., Patra, S. (2020). Effect in growth of corn plant from cellulose-based hydrogel derived from wheat straw. J. Inst. Eng. Ser., E, 103, 41–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40034-020-00180-3.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Stegmann, R., Lotter, S., King, L., Hopping, W. (1993). Fate of an absorbent gelling material for hygiene paper products in landfill and composting. Waste Manag. Res., 11, 155–170.10.1177/0734242X9301100207
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Stylosanthes, H. B. K., Chaves, I. D. S., Cesar, N., Silva, Q., Ribeiro, D. M., Stylosanthes, H. B. K. (2017). Effect of the seed coat on dormancy and germination in in Stylosanthes humilis H. B. K. seeds. J. Seed Sci., 39 (2), 114–122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2317-1545v39n2167773.10.1590/2317-1545v39n2167773
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Szczerba, A., Płażek, A., Pastuszak, J., Kopeć, P., Hornyák, M., Dubert, F. (2021). Effect of low temperature on germination, growth, and seed yield of four soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars. Agronomy, 11. (4), 800. https://doi.org/10.3390/AGRONOMY11040800.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Tang, H., Zhang, L., Hu, L., Zhang, L. (2014). Application of chitin hydrogels for seed germination, seedling growth of rapeseed. J. Plant Growth Regul., 33,195–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-013-9361-5.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Veselaj, E. (2018). Tripartite relationships in legume crops are plant-micro-organism-specific and strongly influenced by salinity. Agriculture, 8, 117. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture8080117.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Wallace, A., Wallace, G. A. (1986). Effects of polymeric soil conditioners on emergence of tomato seedlings. Soil Sci., 141, 321–323.10.1097/00010694-198605000-00004
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Woodhouse, J. M., Johnson, M. S., Biology, E., Box, P. O. (1991). The effect of gel-forming polymers on seed germination and establishment. J. Arid Environ., 20, 375–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-1963(18)30698-0.
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Xu, Z., Jiang, Y., Jia, B., Zhou, G. (2016). Elevated-CO2 response of stomata and its dependence on environmental factors. Front. Plant Sci., 7, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00657.486567227242858
]Search in Google Scholar
[
Xu, H., Yeum, K., Yoon, Y., Ju, J. (2019). Effect of hydrogels in three substrates on growth and ornamental quality of apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) in unirrigated green roofs. J. Hortic., 6 (3), https://doi.org/10.35248/2376-0354.19.06.260.
]Search in Google Scholar
