Super Absorbent Polymers in Agriculture YouTube Lecture Handouts

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Super Absorbent Polymers in Agriculture

Super Absorbent Polymers

  • SAP, hydrogel, absorbent polymers, absorbent gels, super soakers, super slur pier, water gel
  • Macro molecular synthetic water absorbing polymer material
  • Water uptake potential up to 100,000% of its own weight by osmosis and form soil granules to enhance soil properties.
  • White sugar-like hygroscopic materials which swell as clear gel & can retain moisture even under pressure without risk of conflagration or rupturing
  • Made of acrylic acid as polyacrylate - non-toxic, non-irritating and non-corrosive & biodegradable at 10 - 15%
  • The three most common soil conditions that hinder plant growth and crop yield are low water retention capability, high evapo-transpiration rate, and soil moisture leaching. Apart from these, factors like unforeseen drought conditions, degradation, and salination, overuse of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and improper irrigation practices severely affect soil and plants, often rendering permanent damage to soil biota as well.

Application of SAPs

  • High absorption capacity in saline and hard water conditions
  • Optimized absorbency under load (AUL)
  • Lowest soluble content and residual monomer
  • Low price
  • High durability & stability in swelling environment and during storage
  • Gradual biodegradability without formation of toxic species
  • pH-neutrality after swelling in water
  • Photo stability
  • Re-wetting capability

The three most common soil conditions that hinder plant growth and crop yield are low water retention capability, high evapo-transpiration rate, and soil moisture leaching. Apart from these, factors like unforeseen drought conditions, degradation, and salination, overuse of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and improper irrigation practices severely affect soil and plants, often rendering permanent damage to soil biota as well.

Benefits of SAPs

  • Improve soil quality
  • Increase seed sprouting
  • Non-polluting
  • Micro-reservoirs at plant roots
  • Cyclic process of absorption & release of water
  • Save water & reduce irrigation frequency
  • Reduce fertilizer overuse
  • Act as soil matter flocculants – bind lose soil to form loam
  • Reduce nursery establishment time

Mayank