Effects of a Novel Poly (AA-co-AAm)/AlZnFe2O4/potassium Humate Superabsorbent Hydrogel Nanocomposite on Water Retention of Sandy Loam Soil and Wheat Seedling Growth

Abstract

A novel poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)AlZnFe2O4/potassium humate superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposite (PHNC) was synthesized and its physical properties characterized using SEM, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. Air dried sandy loam soil was amended with 0.1 to 0.4 w/w% of PHNC to evaluate its soil moisture retention attributes. Effect of PHNC amendment on pH, electrical conductivity (EC), porosity, bulk density and hydraulic conductivity of sandy loam soil was also studied. The soil amendment with 0.1 to 0.4 w/w% of PHNC remarkably enhanced the moisture retention at field capacity as compared to the un-amended soils. Seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was considerably increased and a delay by 6–9 days in wilting of seedlings was observed in the soil amended with PHNC, resulting in improved wheat plant establishment and growth.

Biodegradable water hyacinth cellulose-graft-poly(ammonium acrylate-co-acrylic acid) polymer hydrogel for potential agricultural application

“…In a similar study, Shahid et al. [42] obtained MHC values ranging from 35 to 65 % in sandy-loam soil amended with 0.1–0.4 % poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/AlZnFe 2 O 4 /K humate nanocomposite. The retention of moisture at relatively lower copolymer content was attributed to K humate which enhanced hydrophilicity.…”

Preparation and study of the physical properties of the ferrite compound Al1- xZnxFe2O4 using sol gel method

“…This analysis showed the effect of (x) value of Al, Zn added to the ferrite compound on the rest of its constituent elements, where between the EDS spectrum when (x) = 1 It contains only the following elements (iron, zinc and oxygen) as shown in Figure (3a), while Figure (3 b, c) shows the spectral analysis (EDS) for the percentages (X = 0.7,0.5,) shows the presence The following elements in the ferrite compound (aluminum, oxygen, zinc and iron), where we note the increase of aluminum by increasing ratio (x) and decreasing zinc (high and low peaks) due to the substitution of aluminum as zinc components as there are no loss of the constituent elements of the Ferrite compound and for any prepared ratio. [5,6] Figure (3d), which represents the spectrum (EDS) of the ferrite compound prepared at x = 0 as it reveals the constituent elements of the compound including (iron, oxygen and aluminum) where no impurities were found and this indicates the purity of the samples and the success of the preparation method in our research This. This is fully consistent with the results of XRD.…”

Agro-environmental applications of humic substances: A critical review

“…This noticeable improvement of water holding capacity of soil increased water retention in the root zone and reduced the number of irrigations. A novel functionalized humic material (poly (acrylic acidco-acrylamide) AlZnFe 2 O 4 /potassium humate) was applied at rates of 0.1 to 0.4 w/w% to explore its positive effect on maximizing water holding capacity of soil (Shahid et al, 2012). The functionalized humic materials significantly increased soil moisture retention and seeds germination and delayed the wilting of seeds by about 6-9 days.…”