Enhanced pearl millet yield stability, water use efficiency and soil microbial activity using superabsorbent polymers and crop residue recycling across diverse ecologies

Bana, Ram Swaroop; Grover, Monendra; Singh, Deepak; Bamboriya, Shanti Devi; Godara, Samarth; Kumar, M.; Kumar, Anil; Sharma, S.; Shekhawat, P. S.; Lomte, Dinesh; Bhuva, H.M.; Babar, Sadhana R; Suryawanshi, R. T.; Vasuki, V.; Singh, Nirupma; Khandelwal, Vikas; Singh, Anupama; Satyavathi, C. Tara

doi:10.1016/j.eja.2023.126876

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Awad et al [186] studied arable soils in Korea and reported a weak effect of polyacrylamide, biopolymer and biochar application on soil enzyme activities for soils that did not receive plant residues, but a strong stimulating effect was observed for soils that received plant residues and were treated with biopolymer and biochar. Similar results were obtained by Bana et al [7]. Dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and urease activities increased with the simultaneous application of crop-residue mulch and SAPs.…”

Section: The Influence Of Superabsorbents On the Microbiological Acti...supporting

confidence: 89%

“…Dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and urease activities increased with the simultaneous application of crop-residue mulch and SAPs. This positive effect was also observed on soil microbial (bacteria, fungi, actinobacteria) populations [7].…”

Section: The Influence Of Superabsorbents On the Microbiological Acti...mentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Long-term drought can cause desertification, degradation and soil salinisation, which significantly affect the soil ecosystem [5,6]; therefore it is necessary to look for solutions that increase the efficiency of water use, e.g., in agriculture [7]. Organic mulching, water fertilisation and the use of synthetic polymers are just some of the methods suggested in the literature for effective moisture management [7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Superabsorbent Hydrogels in the Agriculture and Reclamation of Degraded Areas

Sroka,

Sroka

2024

Sustainability

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Superabsorbent materials (SAPs) are crosslinked polymer networks composed of ionic and non-ionic monomers. SAPs can absorb and retain water solutions up to several hundred times their own weight. As a result of swelling, they form a gel that is insoluble in water, considered safe and decomposes over time. This review focuses on the synthesis, degradation and chemical composition of SAP materials, with particular emphasis on chemical substances that are soluble in water and can migrate into the environment. Numerous applications of natural and synthetic hydrogels in agriculture and the reclamation of degraded areas in preventing erosion, retention water, reducing leaching of colloidal soil components and plant protection products, fertilisers and mineral salts into surface waters have been described. The influence of SAPs on the microbial activity of soils is described. New trends in the search for environmentally friendly SAPs made of modified biopolymers and waste materials are presented, which not only increase yields, but also ensure sustainable agro-environmental development.

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Section: The Influence Of Superabsorbents On the Microbiological Acti...supporting

confidence: 89%

Section: The Influence Of Superabsorbents On the Microbiological Acti...mentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Superabsorbent Hydrogels in the Agriculture and Reclamation of Degraded Areas

Sroka,

Sroka

2024

Sustainability

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Hydrogels for agronomical application: from soil characteristics to crop growth: a review

Piccoli,

Camarotto,

Squartini

et al. 2024

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

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In a growing world population scenario, greater demand for food and in turn agricultural input is expected in the coming decades. The development of innovative sustainable amendments and fertilizers such as hydrogels (HGs) relies on this context. HGs are defined as 3D polymeric networks with the ability to absorb and retain a large amount of water (i.e., swellability). HGs swellability makes them ideal platforms for water- and nutrient-controlled release. The literature reflects a notable diversity in HGs composition, properties, and impacts on agroecosystems, resulting in the dissemination of information across multiple publications. Within this context, the primary aim of this scientific review is to systematically compile, critically evaluate, and synthesize the latest findings and relevant literature pertaining to the application of HGs in agroecosystems. We found that this class of materials was consistently found on soil bulk density, crop available water, soil electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity and main cereal or legume crops performances particularly under moderate water deficit conditions, suggesting their effectiveness for arid and semi- arid areas. Encouraging results were also found on pesticide, agrochemicals, and microorganisms delivering. Thus, the delivery of agronomic inputs with loaded-HG may play a key role in forthcoming agriculture that would minimize the agronomic impact on the environment. Nevertheless, some critical issues still remain open, concerning: (i) the decreased of HG effectiveness following wetting and drying cycles, (ii) the impact of Na+ contained in HG on crop cells, (iii) the HG effect on soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and pH, and (iv) HG biodegradability and their fate into the environment. In conclusion, HGs seem a promising technology to reach/maintain food security and soil health, but future research should address the development of well-defined protocols for producing biowaste-derived HG that will ensure their biodegradability and non-toxicity and will disclose new insights into a circular economy approach agronomy. One of the biggest challenges would be the synthesis of “smart” HG able to respond to environmental stimuli triggering molecule(s) release in soil.

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