Innovative Solutions for Drought: Evaluating Hydrogel Application on Onion Cultivation (Allium cepa) in Morocco

Throughout the last decade, and particularly in 2022, water scarcity has become a critical concern Morocco other Mediterranean countries. The lack of rainfall during spring was worsened by succession heat waves summer. To address this drought, innovative solutions, including use new technologies such as hydrogels, will be essential to transform agriculture. This paper presents findings study that evaluated impact hydrogel application on onion (Allium cepa) cultivation Meknes, Morocco. treatments investigated comprised two different types hydrogel-based soil additives (Arbovit® polyacrylate Huminsorb® polyacrylate), applied at rates (30 20 kg/ha), irrigated levels supply (100% 50% daily crop evapotranspiration; ETc). Two control were included, without with both amounts. experiment conducted an open field using completely randomized design. results indicated significant hydrogel-type dose plant growth, evidenced various vegetation parameters. Among hydrogels tested, Polyacrylate produced most favorable outcomes, treatment T9 (100%, HP, 30 kg/ha) yielding 70.55 t/ha; represented increase 11 t/ha compared 100% ETc application. Moreover, combination stress showed promising results, T4 (HP, kg, 50%) producing almost same yield while saving 208 mm water.