Effect of hydrogels on moisture storage of irrigated automorphic soils in Uzbekistan

Abstract

An experimental study on the development of water-conserving irrigation technology with the use of super swelling hydrogels synthesized out of local raw material has been conducted for three years under the condition of arid automorphic soils of western Uzbekistan. The development of new and affordable water-conserving technologies is critical for the sustainable development of irrigated agriculture in arid zones that severely affected by growing water scarcity. The experiments were aimed at determining the properties of hydrogels, establishing quantitative indicators of the water-holding ability of automorphic soils depending on the methods, norms, and time of application of highly swellable polymer hydrogels under conditions of cotton cultivation. The experiments were conducted under conditions of the irrigated by lifted water automorphic soils and cultivation of the Andijan-35 cotton variety. Results of the study show that use of highly swellable polymer hydrogels with a norm of 50 kg/ha under traditional agrotechnology conditions in conditions of automorphic soils based on improved traditional furrow irrigation technology allows reducing water consumption for irrigation by 15-17% in the first year, by 12-14% in the second year and by 9-11% in the third year of experiments. Due to the longer duration of moisture conservation in the soil, the period between irrigations is extended by 10-12 days, the number of irrigations is reduced.

The Necessity to Use Hydrogels in Conditions of Island Water Shortage in the Aral Region

“…Salokhiddinov, A. According to the research results of Khamidov, V. Boirov and L. Yusupov, strong swelling hydrogels used in dry farming have a significant positive effect on winter wheat [13,14,15].…”

Prospects of Hydrogels in Agriculture for Enhancing Crop and Water Productivity under Water Deficit Condition

“…In another study, Ramanjaneyulu et al [86] found that hydrogel application failed to enhance the seed yield of rainfed castor in alfisols due to its long duration, intermediate nature, and inherent ability to withstand short-term droughts. Salokhiddinov et al [87] noticed that the use of highly swellable polymer hydrogels under conditions of automorphic soils based on improved traditional furrow irrigation technology had made it possible to reduce water consumption for irrigation by 15-17% in the first year, by 12-14% in the second year, and by 9-11% in the third year of experiments in cotton crop. Due to the longer duration of moisture conservation in the soil, the period between irrigations was extended by 10-12 days; the number of irrigations is reduced.…”