Effect of hydrogel on corn growth, water use efficiency, and soil properties in a semi-arid region

Most countries, particularly those in arid and semi-arid regions, are grappling with important agricultural production issues that influenced by rapid population growth and limited water resources. The application of soil additives to improve soil properties and water usage productivity has sparked...

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Main Authors: Ammar A. Albalasmeh, Osama Mohawesh, Mamoun A. Gharaibeh, Abdulaziz G. Alghamdi, Mohammad A. Alajlouni, Ahmad M. Alqudah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2022-12-01
Series:Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658077X2200025X
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author Ammar A. Albalasmeh
Osama Mohawesh
Mamoun A. Gharaibeh
Abdulaziz G. Alghamdi
Mohammad A. Alajlouni
Ahmad M. Alqudah
author_facet Ammar A. Albalasmeh
Osama Mohawesh
Mamoun A. Gharaibeh
Abdulaziz G. Alghamdi
Mohammad A. Alajlouni
Ahmad M. Alqudah
author_sort Ammar A. Albalasmeh
collection DOAJ
description Most countries, particularly those in arid and semi-arid regions, are grappling with important agricultural production issues that influenced by rapid population growth and limited water resources. The application of soil additives to improve soil properties and water usage productivity has sparked the most attention, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of hydrogel on soil physical properties and plant growth parameters using sandy and silty clay loam soils. Laboratory experiments were implemented using ten different concentrations of hydrogel based on the percentage of the added hydrogel (0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.07, 0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.22, 0.27 and 0.33% (w/w) hydrogel/soil) to assess its effect on soil physical and hydraulic properties. Moreover, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using four hydrogel concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% (w/w) on Zea mays as a model plant to assess its effect on plant growth parameters. Results revealed that the greatest improvement in soil aggregate percentage was 35% with 0.27% hydrogel concentration whereas, 0.33% hydrogel concentration increased the soil available water by 49%. Moreover, water use efficiency was increased from 13% to 41% for sandy soil and from 35% to 67% for silty clay loam soil. In addition, when compared to the control, both soils' water use efficiency and corn growth rose. In agriculture, hydrogel can improve soil physical properties while also boosting water use efficiency and plant development parameters in dry and semi-arid areas.
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publishDate 2022-12-01
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series Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences
spelling doaj-art-748e3e2555bc4ad5b611fc5d0398d3002025-08-20T03:48:31ZengSpringerJournal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences1658-077X2022-12-0121851852410.1016/j.jssas.2022.03.001Effect of hydrogel on corn growth, water use efficiency, and soil properties in a semi-arid regionAmmar A. Albalasmeh0Osama Mohawesh1Mamoun A. Gharaibeh2Abdulaziz G. Alghamdi3Mohammad A. Alajlouni4Ahmad M. Alqudah5Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and, Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan; Corresponding author.Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and, Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan; Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, P.O. Box: 7, Karak 61710, JordanDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and, Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, JordanDepartment of Soil Sciences, College of Food and Agricultural Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and, Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, JordanDepartment of Agroecology, Aarhus University at Flakkebjerg, 4200 Slagelse, DenmarkMost countries, particularly those in arid and semi-arid regions, are grappling with important agricultural production issues that influenced by rapid population growth and limited water resources. The application of soil additives to improve soil properties and water usage productivity has sparked the most attention, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of hydrogel on soil physical properties and plant growth parameters using sandy and silty clay loam soils. Laboratory experiments were implemented using ten different concentrations of hydrogel based on the percentage of the added hydrogel (0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.07, 0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.22, 0.27 and 0.33% (w/w) hydrogel/soil) to assess its effect on soil physical and hydraulic properties. Moreover, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using four hydrogel concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% (w/w) on Zea mays as a model plant to assess its effect on plant growth parameters. Results revealed that the greatest improvement in soil aggregate percentage was 35% with 0.27% hydrogel concentration whereas, 0.33% hydrogel concentration increased the soil available water by 49%. Moreover, water use efficiency was increased from 13% to 41% for sandy soil and from 35% to 67% for silty clay loam soil. In addition, when compared to the control, both soils' water use efficiency and corn growth rose. In agriculture, hydrogel can improve soil physical properties while also boosting water use efficiency and plant development parameters in dry and semi-arid areas.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658077X2200025XMaizePolymerSoil amendmentSoil hydraulic propertiesWater management
spellingShingle Ammar A. Albalasmeh
Osama Mohawesh
Mamoun A. Gharaibeh
Abdulaziz G. Alghamdi
Mohammad A. Alajlouni
Ahmad M. Alqudah
Effect of hydrogel on corn growth, water use efficiency, and soil properties in a semi-arid region
Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences
Maize
Polymer
Soil amendment
Soil hydraulic properties
Water management
title Effect of hydrogel on corn growth, water use efficiency, and soil properties in a semi-arid region
title_full Effect of hydrogel on corn growth, water use efficiency, and soil properties in a semi-arid region
title_fullStr Effect of hydrogel on corn growth, water use efficiency, and soil properties in a semi-arid region
title_full_unstemmed Effect of hydrogel on corn growth, water use efficiency, and soil properties in a semi-arid region
title_short Effect of hydrogel on corn growth, water use efficiency, and soil properties in a semi-arid region
title_sort effect of hydrogel on corn growth water use efficiency and soil properties in a semi arid region
topic Maize
Polymer
Soil amendment
Soil hydraulic properties
Water management
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658077X2200025X
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