Effects of hydrogel amendment on water storage of sandy loam and loam soils and seedling growth of barley, wheat and chickpea

Abstract

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.

Effect of hydrogel on the performance of aerobic rice sown under different techniques

“…Higher soil moisture content in soil with hydrogel was observed. The results of the present study strongly agree with the previous work done by Akhter et al (2004) that the hydrogel addition in soil was effective in improving soil moisture availability and thus increased plant establishment. It is well documented that the addition of gel-polymers has the potential to improve plant vegetative growth by retaining more moisture contents (Choudhary et al 1995, Al-Harbi et al 1999.…”

Effects of Hydrogels on Tree Seedling Performance in Temperate Soils before and after Water Stress

“…Several studies have shown that addition of hydrogels to growing media increased water holding capacity by up to 400% [6] and decreased water stress by delaying the onset of wilting [7]. In water-stressed soils for instance, prolonged survival and improved growth have been recorded under drought conditions [8][9][10][11][12] and in sandy desert soils [13]. SAPs were reported to increase tree species survival and reduce evapo-transpiration in different soils under drought conditions [14].…”

Polysaccharides as safer release systems for agrochemicals

“…Beside, water-holding capacity, hydrogels also improve the physical properties of soil by enhancing soil permeability and infiltration rates, reducing irrigation frequency, reducing compaction tendency, stopping erosion and water runoff, increasing plant performance, increasing soil aeration, delaying dissolution of fertilizers (improving fertilizer retention in soil), increasing sorption capacity or favoring the uptake of some nutrient elements by the plants and increasing microbial activity. All these properties, directly or indirectly, are beneficial to plants (Fonteno and Bilderback 1993;Bouranis et al 1995;Ben-Hur and Keren 1997;Sojka et al 1998;Akhter et al 2004).…”

“…These workers have observed that these polymeric matrices (hydrogels/beads) have good water-holding capacity. Hence, this property can further be exploited for water management during agricultural activities (Fonteno and Bilderback 1993;Bouranis et al 1995;Ben-Hur and Keren 1997;Sojka et al 1998;Akhter et al 2004). Bajpai and Giri (2003)have observed the decrease in release rate and release amount of KNO 3 with increase in crosslinker concentrations in (CMC-g-poly(AAm) hydrogels.…”