Effect in Growth of Corn Plant from Cellulose-Based Hydrogel Derived from Wheat Straw

Abstract

The objective of the current work is to form a cellulose-based hydrogel from wheat straw and analyze its impact in plant growth. The isolation of cellulose in various stages is confirmed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Through copolymerization of acrylic acid and cellulose, a cellulose-based hydrogel was synthesized by using cross-linker N,N-methylenebisacrylamide, and initiator ammonium persulfate. The experiments carried out at different concentrations of cellulose assert the fact that water holding capacity increases with an increase in the concentration of cellulose. The germination index of different seeds mixed with hydrogel was measured and compared with the values obtained under the control condition. A pilot study was performed where hydrogel was implemented for agricultural application. The growth of the corn plant cultivated in a soil treated with cellulose-based hydrogel was investigated and compared with same soil sans hydrogel. The presence of hydrogel has an immense effect in plant growth. This work concludes that the quantity of water retained in the soil increases significantly with inclusion of cellulose-based hydrogel and it resulted in controlled release of water into soil under dry conditions.