Potential of superabsorbent hydrogels to improve agriculture under abiotic stresses

Date published

2021-03-23

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Elsevier

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Article

ISSN

0140-1963

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Citation

Nascimento CDV, Simmons RW, de Andrade Feitosa JP, et al., (2021) Potential of superabsorbent hydrogels to improve agriculture under abiotic stresses. Journal of Arid Environments, Volume 189, June 2021, Article number 104496

Abstract

Hydrogels are a promising management option to increase the efficiency of water use in agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions. However, abiotic factors may affect hydrogel efficacy. The effect of abiotic stress on the swelling and residual acrylamide in hydrogels was evaluated. The treatments were three hydrogels (A, B and C), four temperatures (20, 30, 40 and 65 °C) and two salinities (0.003 and 3.0 dS m−1). The swelling degree and the residual acrylamide concentration of the hydrogels were measured. Data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate statistics. The swelling order of hydrogels under low salinity was A>C>B; at high salinity was B>A>C. All hydrogels presented swelling reduction at high salinity, with swelling reductions in A and C of 97% and 85%, respectively, while B presented a swelling reduction of 37% at 20 °C and greater than 89% at higher temperatures. Hydrogel B achieved good swelling under saline conditions, but only at 20 °C. Thus, the temperature tolerance of this hydrogel should be improved so it can be used to improve water use efficiency in regions with high temperatures and salinity levels. Residual acrylamide levels of hydrogels decreased by 95% over 30 days, being safe for agricultural applications

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Github

Keywords

Water use efficiency, Soil conservation, Soil science, Anionic co-polymers

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

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