Abstract
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) and carrageenan (CG) hydrogels were synthesized for potential use in the growth of wheatgrass plant. The water absorbency and gel content properties of prepared hydrogels were investigated. Water absorbency was reduced with increasing the amounts of polymer and crosslinker, in contrast with gel content results. The treatment of hydrogels with soil enhanced the water retention capacity of soil. Zinc micronutrient was loaded in both hydrogels by classic entrapment method. The zinc release behavior of hydrogels in water and soil were determined and the release rate decreased with high gel content and crosslinking density. The influence of zinc-loaded hydrogel on the wheatgrass plant performance were also investigated by using pot experiments. The growth of the wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) was obviously increased by the use of zinc-loaded hydrogels. The increase in plant performance by using these hydrogels suggests that prepared hydrogels can be used as a controlled fertilizer system in agriculture fields.
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