Optimization of Celery Tail Waste-Based Hydrogels and Application in Soil Water Retention

In order to meet the demand for coordinated development of agricultural waste utilization and water-saving agriculture, this study utilized waste celery tailings (CT) to make a super-absorbent hydrogel by chemical cross-linking. The hydrogel was optimized and screened. The study demonstrated the opt...

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Main Authors: Yuqin Wang, Yuan Zhong, Jun Wu, Yufan Xie, Shiwei Fang, Liqun Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Gels
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/248
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author Yuqin Wang
Yuan Zhong
Jun Wu
Yufan Xie
Shiwei Fang
Liqun Cai
author_facet Yuqin Wang
Yuan Zhong
Jun Wu
Yufan Xie
Shiwei Fang
Liqun Cai
author_sort Yuqin Wang
collection DOAJ
description In order to meet the demand for coordinated development of agricultural waste utilization and water-saving agriculture, this study utilized waste celery tailings (CT) to make a super-absorbent hydrogel by chemical cross-linking. The hydrogel was optimized and screened. The study demonstrated the optimal CT-gel synthesis method: 7.5 wt% CT, 0.05 wt% MBA cross-linker, and 70 °C for 2 h. The optimized gel had a water absorption of 708 g/g and a water retention of more than 20% at 25 °C on day 10. The soil water retention of the CT-gel increased with time and dosage. In sandy soils, 0.6% CT-gel was most effective. The pot experiment showed that 2% of the gel significantly increased the height and growth rate of radish seedlings. This study effectively utilized various components of CT and provided a scalable approach for converting agricultural waste into functional materials, which is valuable for arid soil improvement and sustainable agriculture.
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issn 2310-2861
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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series Gels
spelling doaj-art-ebbadf39b47e40cf93f9eaede7d0c3262025-08-20T03:13:47ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-03-0111424810.3390/gels11040248Optimization of Celery Tail Waste-Based Hydrogels and Application in Soil Water RetentionYuqin Wang0Yuan Zhong1Jun Wu2Yufan Xie3Shiwei Fang4Liqun Cai5College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaIn order to meet the demand for coordinated development of agricultural waste utilization and water-saving agriculture, this study utilized waste celery tailings (CT) to make a super-absorbent hydrogel by chemical cross-linking. The hydrogel was optimized and screened. The study demonstrated the optimal CT-gel synthesis method: 7.5 wt% CT, 0.05 wt% MBA cross-linker, and 70 °C for 2 h. The optimized gel had a water absorption of 708 g/g and a water retention of more than 20% at 25 °C on day 10. The soil water retention of the CT-gel increased with time and dosage. In sandy soils, 0.6% CT-gel was most effective. The pot experiment showed that 2% of the gel significantly increased the height and growth rate of radish seedlings. This study effectively utilized various components of CT and provided a scalable approach for converting agricultural waste into functional materials, which is valuable for arid soil improvement and sustainable agriculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/248celery tail wastehydrogelwater absorption capacityratio optimizationsoil water retention
spellingShingle Yuqin Wang
Yuan Zhong
Jun Wu
Yufan Xie
Shiwei Fang
Liqun Cai
Optimization of Celery Tail Waste-Based Hydrogels and Application in Soil Water Retention
Gels
celery tail waste
hydrogel
water absorption capacity
ratio optimization
soil water retention
title Optimization of Celery Tail Waste-Based Hydrogels and Application in Soil Water Retention
title_full Optimization of Celery Tail Waste-Based Hydrogels and Application in Soil Water Retention
title_fullStr Optimization of Celery Tail Waste-Based Hydrogels and Application in Soil Water Retention
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of Celery Tail Waste-Based Hydrogels and Application in Soil Water Retention
title_short Optimization of Celery Tail Waste-Based Hydrogels and Application in Soil Water Retention
title_sort optimization of celery tail waste based hydrogels and application in soil water retention
topic celery tail waste
hydrogel
water absorption capacity
ratio optimization
soil water retention
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/248
work_keys_str_mv AT yuqinwang optimizationofcelerytailwastebasedhydrogelsandapplicationinsoilwaterretention
AT yuanzhong optimizationofcelerytailwastebasedhydrogelsandapplicationinsoilwaterretention
AT junwu optimizationofcelerytailwastebasedhydrogelsandapplicationinsoilwaterretention
AT yufanxie optimizationofcelerytailwastebasedhydrogelsandapplicationinsoilwaterretention
AT shiweifang optimizationofcelerytailwastebasedhydrogelsandapplicationinsoilwaterretention
AT liquncai optimizationofcelerytailwastebasedhydrogelsandapplicationinsoilwaterretention