Potentials of hydrogels in rainfed soil to conserve soil moisture and fertility to maximize the wheat yield

Abstract

The availability of limited irrigation water in rainfed regions is the most challenging constraint to harvest the maximum agronomic benefits. The adaptation of smart water-saving techniques is desperate to combat soil moisture stress and soil quality. The application of hydrogels to conserve soil moisture and plant nutrients to satisfy the crop needs is considered one of the most efficient strategies. Keeping in view the peculiar benefits of hydrogels, an experiment was planned and executed in rainfed areas to quantify the potential benefits of hydrogels for the conservation of soil moisture and restoration of soil fertility under wheat production compared with various conventional soil amendments. The treatments were: T1 (Control), T2 Farmyard manure @ 2500 kg ha-1, T3 Compost @ 750 kg ha-1, T4 Gypsum @ 1000 kg ha-1, T5 Hydrogel @ 15 kg ha-1. The findings of this experiment revealed that soil moisture retention increased from 27 to 73% compared with control (untreated soil) and the application of soil amendments enhanced the soil NO3-N (6 to 24 mg kg-1), P2O5 (4.75 to 11 mg kg-1), and K2O (93.50 to 115.25 mg kg-1), respectively, by farmyard manure, compost, gypsum and hydrogel under specified doses. The wheat grain yield increased from 2165 to 3760 kg ha-1. This study has provided preliminary results regarding the use of hydrogels in a field experiment in rainfed areas of Pakistan. Further studies are required to investigate the performance of various hydrogels under variable environments before recommending to the farmers.

Keywords

• soil amendments
• water use efficiency
• fertilizer use efficiency
• water holding capacity; rainfed areas