Super Absorbent Polymer for Dry & Semi Arid

regions
1.

Introduction:

21st century has witnessed a steady decline of

irrigation water potential conjugated with the
ever growing global population & enhanced
economic activities among countries specially
located in arid and semi arid regions of the
world. As these regions are ever facing water
crisis due to uncertain and inadequate natural
precipitation, the problem with water scarcity
may possibly aggravate further. Global survey
shows, the worst affected areas would be the
semi arid regions of Asia (India), the MiddleEast and Sub-Saharan Africa, all of which
already face issues with heavy population
growth and majority of them below the poverty
line.
It is estimated; by 2025 water scarcity will be a major issue in India requiring immediate redressal. As per the Central
Water Commission, the demand for water is growing at a steady rate but the availability of clean water in future is
declining even faster. In the Indian scenario, Agricultural irrigation practices seem to be responsible for consumption of
80% of the available potable water. There is an increasing trend to this with the further intensification of agro based
industries. Due to the large geographical dimensions of the sub-continent and varied soil and farming practices, modern
irrigation practices can still only cater to 40% of the grown crops. The remaining areas are far more susceptible to
improper (traditional) practices thus greatly lowering the effective and judicious use of available water for crops.

1.1. Major drawbacks with irrigation practices

The predominant irrigation practice is surface draining i.e. direct application of water to crops from surface. Its a
problematic and flawed system as the crops can utilize only 50% of the provided water while the remaining is lost in
conveyance, as runoff and by evaporation. Modern methods like drip irrigation and use of sprinklers can effectively
reduce the wastage of irrigation water but high initial costs, inadequate government subsidy and cooperation, lack of
technical input and after sales service, faulty equipment, damage due to pests and high costs of spares prohibits the
farmers from opting these techniques.
It is worth mentioning that 98million of the total 120million farm holdings are small and marginal farmers; thus net
income from small farms makes farmers reluctant to adopt such water management practices in agriculture. Spatial
diversification in soil characteristics, shortage of large land holdings and underprivileged conditions discourage farmers
from adopting advantageous and economical application of water conserving irrigation techniques, even in arid zones
with distinct scarcity of water. The stress on sustainable development practices even in the agricultural sector has laid
emphasis on further judicious, economic and optimum utilization of land, water and plant resources with the major goal to
maximize land and water productivity without threatening the environment and available natural resources.

2.

Super Absorbent Polymers (SAPs)

Extensive research all over the world, particularly Iran, China, Europe and USA has led to the development of a particular
class of Super Absorbent Polymers that can increase water use efficiency and enhance crop yield. Soil conditioning with
SAP is an interesting and innovative facet in the field of modern agriculture as well as rainfed agriculture. It was shown
that SAP materials are hydrophilic networks that can absorb and retain large amounts of water or aqueous solutions. Their
uptake can be as high as 100,000% and even more. SAPs are in general, small sugar like hygroscopic crystals that can be
directly added to cultivation soils. They are predominantly used for improving irrigation efficiency; smart delivery
materials that can help combat plant pathogens even with lower pesticide dosage, reducing the quantity of soluble NPK
fertilizers per crop cycle thus greatly contributing to water and environmental conservancy practices.

2.1. Hydrogels
Hydrogel agriculture technology involves gel forming polymers that are insoluble water absorbing polymers designed
exclusively for agricultural use by the late 1980s. They were developed to improve physical properties of soil to:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Increase water holding capacity

Increase water use efficiency
Enhance soil permeability and infiltration rate
Reduce irrigation frequency
Reduce compaction tendency
Stop soil erosion, farm run-off & surface leaching
Increase plant performance, particularly in structure-less soils stressed with drought condition

Hydrogels as they are commonly called are cross-linked three-dimensional networked water absorbent polymers. Three
main types of Hydrogels have so far been found appropriate for agricultural use:
i. Starch-graft copolymers
ii. Cross-linked Polyacrylates
iii. Cross-linked Polyacrylamides & Acrylamide-acrylate copolymers
Potassium Polyacrylate is the principle material used in SAP industry and marketed as hydrogel for agricultural use
because of its longer retention and high efficiency in soil with nil toxicity issues. They are prepared by polymerizing
Acrylic acid with a cross linker. Cross-linked polymers can hold water 400 times their own weight and release 95% of that
to growing plants. Use of Hydrogel leads to increased water use efficiency by preventing leaching and increasing
frequency for irrigation. During summer months particularly in semi arid regions, lack of soil moisture can cause plant
stress. Moisture released by hydrogel close to root area helps reduce stress and increase growth and plant performance.
Hydrogels can reduce fertilizer leaching and reduce application of pesticides.

2.2. Water Absorption with Hydrogel

Hydrogel works as water reservoirs round the root mass zones of
the plant. In presence of water, it expands to around 200-800 times
the original volume. There is ample possibility to trap irrigation and
rainwater that can then be collected, stored and gradually released
for crop requirements over prolonged durations. Hydrogel mixed
with soil increase soil permeability and improve germination rates.
It is compatible with a wide range and type of soils and thus has in
general a tendency to increase plant performance and yield.
Rainwater retention, soil erosion by storm water run-offs, especially in sloped terrains can be greatly averted. There has
been proof of decrease in fruit & vegetable loss due to insect by around 10-30%.

3.

Agriculture specific applications of Hydrogel

Hydrogel application in agriculture in terms of proposed practices and their advantages are summarized herein.

3.1.

Conservation in Agricultural Lands

Addition of hydrogel polymer can increase water retention

capacity of soil by 50-70% with proper amendment with
various dosages of soil to hydrogel ratio. Consecutively soil
bulk density can reduce by 8-10%. There is an upward trend
in saturated water volumetric content of soil with increasing
dose of hydrogel showing clear signs of increase in
agricultural water use efficiency in arid and semi-arid
regions. This has positive impact on the net plant yield.
Hydrogel directly influences soil permeability, density,
structure, texture, evaporation and infiltration rates of water.
Irrigation frequency, compaction tendency and run-offs
decrease while aeration & microbial activity is promoted.

3.2.

Increase in Irrigation Efficiency

Water stress due to scarcity of moisture around root zones is

often associated with premature leaf shedding, decreasing
chlorophyll content, reduced seed yield, less fruit and flower
yield per plant. Use of hydrogel can help moderate these
impacts caused by deficit irrigation. Being a water retaining
agent greatly increase irrigation period of cultivation,
enhancing irrigation efficiency particularly in arid & semiarid belts.

3.3.

Drought Stress Reduction

Drought stress can lead to production of Oxygen radicals that result in increased lipid perioxidation and oxidative stress in
the plants. Visible effects include stunned height, decrease in leaf area and foliar matrix damage etc. Hydrogel can reduce
drought impact on plants leading to reduced stress and oxygen radical formation. This in turn provides scope for better
growth and yield even in unfavorable climatic conditions.

3.4.

Enhanced Fertilizer Efficiency

Irrigation technology has major constraints in the fields of application of fertilizers, herbicides and germicides. Studies
suggest the use of synthetic fertilizers can be greatly reduced when hydrogel agriculture is practiced without hindering
with crop yield and nutritional value. It would indeed be a more appropriate practice for sustainable agriculture in arid and
semi-arid conditions and regions with similar ecological constrains. Moreover, potassium polyacrylate is safe and nontoxic thus prevents pollution of agro ecosystems.

4.

Biodegradability of Hydrogel Polymer

Studies have confirmed that hydrogel is sensitive to the action of UV rays, and degrades into oligomers. The Polyacrylate
becomes much more sensitive to aerobic and anaerobic microbiological degradation and can degrade at rates of 10-15%
per year into water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen compounds. The hydrogel molecules are too voluminous to be absorbed
into plant tissue and have zero bioaccumulation potential.

5.

Application rates

Considering the efficiency of hydrogel in soil conditioning and moisture retention, it can be understood that an optimum
mixing ratio is needed to get maximum efficacy of the method. Since the moisture holding capacity is a function of soil
characteristics, dosage of hydrogel is also varied and designed based on the type of soil it is used with. A simple dosage
chart has been illustrated herein but the ultimate quantity and application can only be determined after testing specific
soils to be conditioned.
Type of Soil

Suggested dosage of Hydrogel

Arid & Semi-arid Regions

4-6g/kg soil

For all level of water stress treatment and improved irrigation period

2.25-3g/kg soil

To delay permanent wilting point in sandy soils

0.2-0.4g/kg OR 0.8% of soil whichever is

more

To reduce irrigation water by 50% in loamy soil

2-4g/ plant pit

To improve relative water content and leaf water use efficiency

0.5-2.0g/pot

To reduce drought stress

To prohibit drought stress totally

0.2-0.4% of soil
225-300kg/ha of cultivated area

To decrease water stress

3% by weight

ALSTA HYDROGEL: SUPER ABSORBANT POLYMER for AGRICULTURE

ALSTA HYDROGEL is a potassium polyacrylate based super absorbent polymer manufactured by Chemtex Speciality
Ltd. for agricultural sector. The granular polymer has a capacity to absorb water 300-500 times its own weight and release
it gradually directly to the plant roots over a period. It is effective at reducing irrigation frequency, maintaining soil
texture and permeability while ensuring proper and healthy growth of the plants themselves. It can be used conveniently
with de-ionized and de-mineralized water to retain soil moisture as well as reduce use of synthetic NPK fertilizers.
ALSTA HYDROGEL is non-toxic and does not bioaccumulate. Under proper soil conditions, it has a long working life
without any adverse impact on the agro-ecosystem. It is an easy to use farmer friendly product compatible with a large
array of soil types. It finds large scale applications in Open Field & Protective Cultivation, Terrace Farming, Vertical
Farming, Domestic Gardens, Arboriculture, Bare Root Dripping, Hydro Seeding, Hydroponics etc.
The salient features of ALSTA HYDROGEL include:

Reduction in fertilizer and herbicide leaching

Improvement in soil and soilless media characteristics
Enhanced seed germination and seedling growth
Increases root growth and density
Moderates drought stress significantly
Reduction in nursery establishment period
Reduction in irrigation frequency
Prevents premature defoliation
Increases fruiting/flowering density
Increases overall growth and plant biomass

ALSTA HYDROGEL is the economical and eco-friendly step to a better water management system for all types of
agriculture systems, especially in arid and semi-arid regions without compromising with the crop yield.