Dear Anand,

I suggest you the following paper.

http://www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/43285.pdf

With my best regards

Prof. Bachir ACHOUR

Dear Anand

Agricultural hydrogels can change the physical properties of soils in following way

1. Increasing capacity to hold water

2. Reducing erosion and runoff, which is a very good change

3. Reduce frequency of irrigation- helps save water

4. Increase the efficiency of the water being used

5. Increase soil permeability and infiltration

6. Reduce the tendency of the soil to get compacted

7. Help plant performance

The researchers world over (specifically Iran, China, Europe and USA) have extensively worked on utilizing SAP for increasing water use efficiency and enhancing crop yield. Various studies have strongly recommended that soil conditioning with Super Absorbent Polymers could be an innovative facet in the field of agriculture, which works as miniature water storage reservoirs. Research evidences suggest that problems associated with traditional micro irrigation and the factors which are catalyst in practicing efficient irrigation techniques can be taken care of by conditioning the soil with SAP. Better water management can be attained with the application of polymers and considerable water saving can be done without compromising the crop yield. Present literature review has been conducted to have a quick access in understanding various properties of Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP, Hydro-gels, and Polymers) to be used in agriculture. Science of SAP, hydrophilic property, irrigation efficiency, effects under drought stress, effects over the morphological features of the plant, optimum use of fertilizers, biodegradability and application rates under different condition are thoroughly reviewed.

Declining water is a great concern in production of rice, because rice is more sensitive to water deficiency which restricts normal rice growth resulting in enormous economic loss. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of hydro gel in different sowing techniques of aerobic rice viz. flat, ridge, and bed sowing. Observations on soil moisture percentage before every irrigation, yield, and yield components of rice were recorded. Application of hydro gel improved soil moisture contents in all the three sowing techniques as compared to soil without hydro gel. More soil moisture contents met the crop water needs and increased the number of germinated seeds. As a consequence of more emergence and better stand establishment, the yield components were also improved increasing the yield of rice in hydro gel amended soil in all sowing techniques. However, sowing of rice on beds with hydro gel amendment was found the most effective; it not only improved the performance of aerobic rice but also enhanced growth and yield of aerobic rice more than other sowing techniques.

 Hydro-gel has capacity to absorb a minimum of 350 times its weight of pure water at 50 degree Celsius, its use will help farmer in getting high productivity by using much less quantity of water. Agriculture scientists claim that its use will also improve physical properties of soil such as porosity, aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity.

"The scientists had successfully demonstrated the potential of resolving the problem of poor water use efficiency in agricultural crops. Besides improved nutrient use efficiency, an array of other benefits has also been achieved by using this product",

Regards,

Prem Baboo

 Drs Bachir and Prem have given insight of use of hydrogel, my experience that for dryland and moisture limiting situation it is very useful for germination and crop stand establishment, as far meeting the water requirement of field crops is not advised, as the dose suggested may be able to provide few cms only although the evapo-transpiration of most of the agricultural crops range from 25-60cm. I agree that soil structural improvement as well soil physical environment can modify to some extent

regards

Few years ago I did research: effect of Polymers to potato tuber yield in alluvial soil.

In attachment you have picture of the results. Colors represent different polymer’s used (SAP, Hydrogel and Agrogel) and numbers represent gained yields for different fields. Control, parcel without polymers is defined as “Kontrola”. As you can see, in my case, there is no significant effect of polymers.

hydrogel, if applied in the root zone like for horticultural/tree crops, may give enhanced water uptake and also some of the nutrients taken up by the plants in the soluble form, but may not be able to meet water requirement of crop to a significant level. Also from cost-benefir point of view, it may be preferred for few cash crops but not for major field crops viz. cereals, regards

It is useful but in very high moisture stress reas

Dear Dr. Goupta,

Beyond the benefits mentioned by the colleagues, hydrogels can also act in the amendment of the soil, which can positively impact the agricultural crops. The presence of the hydrogels allows changing the soil structure in terms of porosity, compaction, and so on. This reference contains additional information. Article Superabsorbent hydrogels based on polysaccharides for applic...