Significance of biopolymer-based hydrogels and their applications in agriculture: a review in perspective of synthesis and their degree of swelling for water holding

Abstract

Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymer networks that are hydrophilic and capable of retaining a large amount of water.

An Overview of Polymeric Hydrogel Applications for Sustainable Agriculture

“…One way to categorize hydrogels is by type of polymeric network: this classification considers whether hydrogels have a physical or chemical polymeric network. Physical hydrogels are formed by physical bonds, such as van der Waals bonds or electrostatic interactions [6,46]. However, chemical network hydrogels offer durability and resistance because covalent bonds preserve the structure.…”

“…However, these technologies are highly Agriculture 2024, 14, 840 2 of 18 costly, demanding specific farmers' skills. Hydrogels with high water retention capacities can offer a technological alternative to continuous irrigation, attracting attention from the research community in recent years [6,7]. The use of hydrogels in agriculture as soil conditioners originates in the 80s and 90s, highlighting their use in the controlled release of pesticides and nutrients, improving soil structure, texture, infiltration, density, and water reserves in the microenvironment.…”

“…Hydrogels are promising tools for agriculture due to their unique water retention properties and controlled nutrient release capabilities. These highly hydrophilic and superabsorbent materials can be applied as a potential solution to help manage soil water during water scarcity conditions [6].…”

Nanocellulose/wood ash-reinforced starch–chitosan hydrogel composites for soil conditioning and their impact on pea plant growth

“…Additionally, they can be employed to regulate the soil's pH. 4,5 Starch (SC) and chitosan (CS) are favorable polymers in creating agricultural hydrogels. Chitosan, derived from the abundant polysaccharide chitin, is a bio-polymer with potential anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties, capable of stimulating the defence systems of plants.…”

Fabrication and characterization of a novel magnetic nanostructure based on pectin–cellulose hydrogel for in vitro hyperthermia during cancer therapy

“…In recent years, hydrogels possessing a specific three-dimensional network structure have been underscored because of striking characteristics: elasticity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, reversibility, and the ability to uptake high amounts of water. 1 Hydrogels based on synthetic and natural polymers are effective substrates that render a portentous architecture employed in different scientific facets, including environmental fields, 2 biosensors, 3 tissue engineering, 4,5 agriculture, 6 and biotechnology. 7 Compared to synthetic-based hydrogels, natural-based ones, such as agar, 8 pectin, 9 lignin, 10 cellulose, 11 chitosan, 12 and alginate, 13 are better candidates in green chemistry because of their biodegradable, biocompatible, and low-toxicity structure.…”