Studies on Amendment of Different Biopolymers in Sandy Loam and Their Effect on Germination, Seedling Growth of Gossypium herbaceum L.

Abstract

Different biopolymers, agar, cellulose, alginate, psyllium gaur gum, and bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) powders were amended to check their efficacy in enhancing maximum water holding capacity (MWHC), permanent wilting point (PWP), and germination and seedling growth of the Gossypium herbaceum in a laboratory scale. The efficacy of all biopolymers for enhancement of MWHC, PWP, and growth was also analyzed by measuring organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, respiration rate, and microflora in amended and control sandy loams. The range of concentrations (0.2-2%) of all biopolymers was incorporated in sandy loam containing pots. The soil without polymer was considered as control. The psyllium (0.6%) and bacterial EPS (1%) amended soil has 242 and 233% increase in MWHC and thus delaying in the permanent wilting point by 108 and 84 h at 37 °C, respectively, as compared to control. All biopolymers found to increase more or less MWHC, organic matter, total nitrogen, microflora, and PWP as compared to control. The psyllium and bacterial EPS show the highest increase organic matter, biomass, and microflora. The highest reduction in MWHC after 12 weeks were observed in cellulose, gaur gum, and alginate; besides, psyllium, bacterial EPS, and agar showed comparatively less reduction MWHC, i.e., 24% and 14.5%, respectively. The toxicity studies of biopolymer were carried out on earthworm (Eisenia foetida). It revealed their nontoxic nature. The biopolymer amendment in sandy loam can be an effective strategy to improved soil texture, fertility, and thereby crop yield.

A novel biomaterial: bacterial cellulose and its new era applications

“…Abdelhak reported that a polyacrylamide‐cellulose blend showed positive results concerning water retention and improved soil properties. Cellulose positively affected maximum water‐holding capacity (MWHC) of soil . But the use of BC has not been tried for soil improvement.…”

New generation of controlled release phosphorus fertilizers based on biological macromolecules: Effect of formulation properties on phosphorus release

“…is a much better solution. Compared to synthetic polymers, biological macromolecules are relatively inexpensive [27], biodegradable, nontoxic for soil organisms and contribute to the improvement of soil properties [28,29]. In addition, biological polymers appear to be a potential alternative to synthetic polymers for CRFs coatings [30] and could contribute significantly to organic waste recycling and the circular economy.…”

Effect of Bio- and Synthetic- Polymers on Enhancing Soil Physical Properties and Lettuce Plant Production

“…The superiority of nutrient uptake was recorded for dextran treatment which increased nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by 3, 2.5 and 2.5 fold as compared with the control treatment. In this concern, Patil et al, [31] found that addition of biopolymer showed high potential effects on seedling growth of Gossypium herbaceum plant and biomass production. Based on the above, biopolymer addition showed positive significant effects, while synthetic polymers had negative significant effects on the physical properties of soil.…”