TITLE:
Using Environmentally Friendly Hydrogels to Alleviate the Negative Impact of Drought on Plant
AUTHORS:
Gehan H. Abd El-Aziz, Ahmed S. Ibrahim, Ashraf H. Fahmy
KEYWORDS:
Eco-Friendly Hydrogel, Pectin, Starch, Tomato, Soil, Drought
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
25,
2022
ABSTRACT: The use
of natural hydrogels in agriculture provides solutions to many problems without
threatening the environment. This study aims to evaluate the potential impact
of environmentally friendly hydrogels (pectin, starch and pectin + starch) in
reducing the negative effects of drought stress on tomato yield and quality.
Two different peels (orange peel and banana peel) are used to prepare
environmentally friendly hydrogels. The water retention efficiency of hydrogels
has been studied. Greenhouse experiment for tomato under drought stress was
conducted during 2019. These hydrogels were used under several level of
irrigation (100%, 75%, and 50% FC), soil without hydrogel was used as a
control. The results showed that the eco-friendly hydrogels (starch, pectin,
and pectin + starch) had capacity retention of water for a long time. The
obtained data from the greenhouse experiment showed that the eco-friendly
hydrogel showed a positive effect on retention of water and increase the soil
moisture content compared to control. The highest increase was observed at
pectin + starch treatment. This increase reached to 2.8-, 2.4- and 2.0-fold for
100%, 75% and 50% FC compared to the control. Eco- friendly hydrogel application under different drought conditions led to
improve yield and quality of tomato fruits. Moreover, conversion of
agricultural wastes to hydrogels and the use of these eco-friendly materials
instead of synthetic hydrogels are necessary to utilize the limited natural
resources and decrease the harmful impact of agricultural wastes on the environment
and pave the way for the transition to a sustainable agriculture system.