Superabsorbent Polymer Hydrogels for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

Water management is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing issues facing all countries in semi-arid and arid parts world. Global water consumption predicted to increase by 50% 2030, resulting an acute shortage. Presently, agricultural sector consumes more than 70% freshwater regions world, putting pressure on scarcity. Hydrogels are superabsorbent polymers that can hold plant nutrients when soil around roots starts dry out. Research evidence has revealed stored hydrogel slowly returns soil, thereby increasing volumetric content soil. Hydrogel increases use efficiency irrigation intervals, decreases costs, provides plants with required moisture. Numerous properties hydrogels, including moderate retention high swelling, make them ideal as a safe delivery mechanism agriculture for conditioners agents controlled release fertilizers. research publications polymer synthesis its characteristics have been published. However, current review emphasizes critical role hydrogels integrated approach balanced protection seeds, plants, conserve ecosystem.