The hydrogel amendments may improve seedling growth and establishment by increasing water retention capacity of soils and regulating the plants available water supplies, particularly under arid environments. The effects of different levels of a locally prepared hydrogel were studied on the moisture properties of sandy loam and loam soils (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplargids, USDA, Luvic Yermosol, FAO) and on growth response of three plant species, viz. barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Water absorption by gel was rapid and highest in distilled water and was inhibited by an increase in water salinity. The addition of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% hydrogel increased the moisture retention (θr) at field capacity linearly (r = 0.988) and thus the amount of plant available water significantly in both sandy loam and loam soils compared to the untreated soils. Seed germination of wheat and barley was not affected but seedling growth of both species was improved by the gel amendment. In loam soil, seed germination of chickpea was higher with 0.2% gel and seedling growth increased with increase in gel level compared with control conditions. The hydrogel amendment caused a delay by 4-5 days in wilting of seedlings grown in both soils compared with control conditions. The hydrogel amendment was effective in improving soil moisture availability and thus increased plant establishment. However, the varied responses of plant species in sandy loam and loam soils warrant further studies on the behaviour of different soil types with gel amendments.

A factorial experiment according to Randomized Complete Blocks Design (RCBD)was conducted in Serchnar Nursery of the General Directorate of Agriculture in Sulaimani /Kurdistan Region - Iraq, to study the effect of Biofertilizer (Biohealth)at three level were using 0gmL-1 , seed inoculation in biohealth at level 10gmL-1 of distiller water, soil innoculation with biohealth 5gm in 20 litter of water) and Biosimulator( Powhumus at two concentration 0mgL-1 (0ppm) of Powhumus, irrigation with 100mgL-1 (100ppm) of Powhumus), and foliar application with Biozyme TF at two concentration 0ml L-1 and 1ml L-1 on seeds germination and seedlings growth of Albizia lebbeck. It contains the individual factors and their combinations. Data were analyzed using XLSTAT software. The results showed the superiority of the Biohealth inoculation treatment of seeds in germination percentage which recorded 93.33% and soil inoculation showed superiority in (plant height, stem diameter, percentage of P, K, fresh and dry weight of the shoot system, shoot dry matter and root fresh weight) with a score of (101.92 cm, 6.73 mm, 2.38 %, 2.61 %, 139.39 gm, 30.55 gm and 21.44%) respectively. The treatment of using Powhumus showed its superiority in the characteristics of the ( percentage of germination, percentage of N,P,K, fresh and dry weight of the shoot system, percentage of shoot dry matter, fresh and dry weight of the root system) which were recorded (88.89%, 2,30%, 0.33%, 2.43%. 104.71 g, 23.89 gm, 22.54%, 63.87%, 12.03 gm and 17.64% ) respectively. Whereas, the Biozyme treatment excelled in the traits (plant height, stem diameter, N,P and K, relative chlorophyll in leaves, fresh and dry weight of the shoot system, fresh and dry weight of the root system) which they were recorded (80.99 cm, 5.64 mm, 2.36%, 0.31%, 2.34%, 47.20, 97.82 gm, 21.81 gm, 59.57gm, and 10.08gm respectively. In the interaction between soil inoculation with biohealth, irrigation with Powhumus and foliar application with Biozyme B2P1Z1 treatment showed its superiority in the characteristics (plant height, stem diameter, percentage of N,P and K, fresh and dry weight of the shoot system, root dry weight) which were recorded (146.50%, 8.90 mm, 2.93%, 0.49, 2.97, 119.32 gm, 44.77 gm and 25.21) respectively.