Cassava Starch Based Superabsorbent Polymer as Soil Conditioner: Impact on Soil Physico‐Chemical and Biological Properties and Plant Growth

Abstract

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are macromolecules with the ability to absorb water and release it slowly to the surroundings. SAP hydrogels can be used as soil moisture conditioners which act as water reservoirs and release water depending upon the need of plant roots. In the present study, a cassava starch based superabsorbent hydrogel was evaluated as a soil conditioner and its effect on physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil as well as on plant growth parameters was studied. Amendment of the soil with the starch based SAP hydrogel significantly altered the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Bulk density of the soil was decreased, whereas water holding capacity and porosity were increased on SAP treatment. There was an improvement in the soil status of major, secondary and micronutrients and organic carbon in the SAP amended soil. An increase in bacteria (16%) and fungi counts (18%) as well as superior plant growth were observed for the treatment with SAP and irrigated at an interval of 3 days, compared to those of control without SAP. Soil amendment with starch based SAP hydrogel was found to be beneficial for maintaining the physicochemical and biological soil properties as well as plant growth.

Effects of Hydrogel on Growth and Visual Damage of Ornamental Salvia Species Exposed to Salinity

“…Those polymer absorbents can quickly absorb significant amounts of water, which is subsequently gradually released and thus made available to root systems, mitigating the drought stress in plants . Previous results indicate that hydrogel amendment can result in better plant establishment and growth through improvement in nutrient availability and moisture retention, which is highly relevant under the prevailing global climate change . Studies considering hydrogel application on ornamental plants are scarce, and are limited to the examination of Eucalyptus , Pinus halepensis , Cupresus arizonica , Picea abies , P. sylivestris , and Fagus sylvatica .…”

Functional starch-based hydrogels: renewable material solutions for wastewater and agriculture industries

“…molar ratio ≥ 0.70) is required to achieve optimum swelling, which is consistent with the high ratio of monomer to starch in their hydrogel samples. In those few studies that observed similar trends to this study, the hydrogels were prepared via conventional solutionbased techniques (Jyothi Alummoottil et al, 2010;Parvathy et al, 2014;Witono et al, 2014).…”

“…For example, the toxic residues of acrylic SAP-Hs after degradation mark these materials as potential pollutants. This has led to increased concerns regarding the long-term efficiency of acrylic SAP-H soil additives (Bakass et al, 2002;Doumer et al, 2015;Parvathy et al, 2014). However, studies with a focus on the natural detoxification of soil by various plants suggest that degraded SAP-H additives can be considered as a source of nutrients for plants (Raid, 1998).…”

Fabrication of speedy and super‐water‐absorbing non‐woven cloth with hierarchical three‐dimensional network structure

“…Water adsorption materials have drawn increasing attention recently for their widespread applications in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, wound dressings, agricultural and horticultural fields as soil conditioners, coal dewatering, surgical pads and matrices for controlled release devices etc. Among the numerous water uptake materials, researchers have focused on superabsorbent polymers, which are hydrophilic and loose networks that are capable of imbibing and retaining a large amount of water and aqueous fluids such as urine, blood, electrolytes etc., ranging from hundreds to thousands of times their own dry weight .…”