Abstract
Agricultural production is influenced by the water content in the soil and the availability of nutrients. Recently, changes in the quantity and seasonal water availability are expected to impact agriculture due to climate change. This study aimed to test an agricultural product with promising properties to improve soil quality and water-holding capacity during agricultural application. Most of the traditional hydrogels are low-biodegradable synthetic materials with under-researched long-term fate in field soil conditions. The novel, biodegradable hydrogel made from acid whey and cellulose derivatives cross-linked with citric acid was used. The soil-improving effects were tested under controlled experimental conditions with the sandy artificial soil consisting of 10% finely ground sphagnum peat, 20% kaolinite clay, and 70% quartz sand. Soil pH, the content of organic carbon (Cox), total nitrogen (N), available forms of the essential macronutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg), the cation exchange capacity (CEC), the maximum water capacity (MWC) and water holding capacity (WHC) were determined. The results showed a positive effect on water retention and basic soil properties after the different levels of hydrogel had been introduced into the soil. Generally, the addition of whey-based hydrogel increases the available nutrients concentration and water retention in soil.
Highlights
The concept of agricultural sustainability spans both a way of thinking as well as of farming practices towards an environmentally sound, productive, economical, and socially needed agriculture [1]
Our results showed similar trends as presented by Rittonga et al [51] who observed significant changes in cation exchange capacity, levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil after introducing hydrogel synthetized by copolymerization of chitosan-TiO2 composite with polyacrylamide
Our results showed the perspective of wheybased hydrogel for practical use in agriculture because the natural nutritional benefits of agricultural utilization of whey are enhanced by water retention abilities via the chemical cross-link of whey with citric acid
Summary
The concept of agricultural sustainability spans both a way of thinking as well as of farming practices towards an environmentally sound, productive, economical, and socially needed agriculture [1]. Hydrogels are a special part of gels, obtained by the chemical stabilization of hydrophilic polymers in a tridimensional network [3], having a remarkable ability to absorb water [4,5]. They show desirable physical and mechanical properties, and economical reasonability in some cases. Various hydrogel preparation methods have been published for the formation of materials with various compositions, structures, and properties [6] Due to their properties, they have been widely used in various fields ranging from industry and tissue engineering to pharmacy, medicine, cosmetics, and grocery [7]. Hydrogels are widely utilized in forestry [8], reclamation [9], and agriculture where their good water retention and slow-release capacity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
