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International Journal of Soil Science

Year: 2015 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 4 | Page No.: 153-165
DOI: 10.3923/ijss.2015.153.165
Characterization and Impact of Newly Synthesized Superabsorbent Hydrogel Nanocomposite on Water Retention Characteristics of Sandy Soil and Grass Seedling Growth
Wael M. Nada and Oswald Blumenstein

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymers, a group of new water saving materials and soil conditioners that have been widely adopted in agriculture but little is known about their effects on soil physical and chemical properties. A novel Poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) AlZnFe2O4/sodium humate superabsorbent Hydrogel Nanocomposite (PSHNC) was synthesized and its physical properties characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques. Air dried sandy soil was amended with 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4% (w/w) of the prepared PSHNC to evaluate its soil moisture retention attributes. Additionally, the effect of PSHNC on pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Bulk Density (BD), Total Porosity (TP) and Hydraulic Conductivity (HC) of sandy soil was studied. Results revealed that, the soil amended with 0.1-0.4% (w/w) of PSHNC enhanced the moisture retention significantly at field capacity as compared to the untreated soil. Application of PSHNC from 0.1-0.4% (w/w) increased significantly the plant available water (from 10.94-19.22% (v/v)), field capacity (from 22.45-33.13% (v/v)) and wilting point (from 11.51-13.91% (v/v), respectively. Addition of PSHNC reduced soil BD while soil TP was increased. Soil pH was reduced significantly and it was 7.28, 7.19, 7.11 and 7.02 at concentration of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4%, respectively. Meanwhile, the soil EC was significantly increased with PSHNC application. In a separate experiment, seed germination and seedling growth of the Regular Seed Mixtures (RSM) grass was found to be notably improved with the application of PSHNC.

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How to cite this article
Wael M. Nada and Oswald Blumenstein, 2015. Characterization and Impact of Newly Synthesized Superabsorbent Hydrogel Nanocomposite on Water Retention Characteristics of Sandy Soil and Grass Seedling Growth. International Journal of Soil Science, 10: 153-165.

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