Publication detail

Functional Hydrogels in Agricultural Usage

KRATOCHVÍLOVÁ, R. KLUČÁKOVÁ, M.

Original Title

Functional Hydrogels in Agricultural Usage

Type

abstract

Language

English

Original Abstract

Agricultural land is in a very bad condition in the Czech Republic nowadays. There is a problem of pollution caused by previous synthetic fertilizing. The land lost its natural property of water controlling. Rain has rather devastating than beneficial effect for the ground. Artificially applied nutrients are often flushed away and only a bit of them is transported to the targeted location. Solution of these problems can be found in application of natural fertilizer in form of hydrogel matrix. Superabsorbent polymers were used for this purpose in this work. The aim of this work is to develop superabsorbent polymer with incorporated fertilizer in its structure and confirm its ability to enable controlled release of fertilizer from hydrogel matrix. This system should also provide enhancement of natural ground humidity. Water retention tests were then also carried out. Several different samples of superabsorbent polymers based on acrylic acid were observed during our research. They differed in a basic composition of superabsorbent and mainly in a type of fertilizer. Common synthetic NPK fertilizer was used as well as natural lignohumate fertilizer. The role of dosage of these components was also studied. This work proves that novel form of agricultural preparation was developed. The superabsorbent polymer allows controlled release of variety fertilizers. Its role as the water reservoir system was proved as well. The usage of superabsorbent polymers in agriculture can have a very positive effect on crop yield.

Keywords

Hydrogel, Agriculture, Fertilizer, Superabsorbent polymers

Authors

KRATOCHVÍLOVÁ, R.; KLUČÁKOVÁ, M.

Released

24. 5. 2015

Location

Mainz, Germany

Pages from

87

Pages to

87

Pages count

128

BibTex

@misc{BUT117007,
  author="Romana {Kratochvílová} and Martina {Klučáková}",
  title="Functional Hydrogels in Agricultural Usage",
  year="2015",
  pages="87--87",
  address="Mainz, Germany",
  note="abstract"
}