SUJALAM: Agricultural Superabsorbent Polymer

Agricultural Production has been greatly dependent upon water availability in timely manner. In order to find a solution to this problem, development of Super Absorbent polymers (SAP) took place. Initially all development was using synthetic polymers like Polyacrylic acid and their salts. Athough the developed products based on petroleum have several short comings.

1. Monomers & and degradation products of these polymers are carcinogenic and toxic. They penetrate soil to reach ground water and contaminate it posing serious threat to the environment
2. Release of water to soil. These polymers have poor capacity to release the water to soil. Water is available only when roots are touching water containing SAP gels.
3. Being Sodium or Potassium salts after degradation results in increasing alkalinity and decreasing fertility of soil
4. Synthetic polymers being toxic in nature they can be absorbed through skin and inhaling, hence special protective clothing is required during it’s application in field.
5. Microbial population in soil which is helpful to fertility of soil gets affected due to the use of Synthetic polymer.

In view of environmental concerns all over the world the importance of replacing the synthetics by “greener” options is being felt. R&D team of Maple Biotech developed a water absorbent polymer which is derived from Natural plant based Bio-Polymer which would cater the need of Agriculture by saving water.

Water insoluble hydrogels are loosely crosslinked three dimensional network structure, absorbing more than 200g of water per gram of the xerogel (dry polymer).

Desirable characteristics for applications in agriculture

1. high absorption capacity in saline and hard water conditions optimized absorbency under load (AUL)
2. lowest toxicity.
3. Low price and stability in the swollen environment and during storage
4. Gradual biodegradability without formation of toxic species
5. pH‐neutrality after swelling in water
6. Photostability
7. Re‐wetting capability
Unlike Superabsorbent polymers of synthetic type, absorbents based on natural polymer have capability to release water whenever required by plant.

SALIENT FEATURES

• Natural polymer backbone based
• Exhibits maximum absorbency @ temperatures (40- 50 degrees Celcius) characteristic of semi-arid and arid soils
• Absorbs water 200 times its dry weight and gradually releases the same.
• Stable in soil for a minimum period of one year.
• Less affected by salts.
• Low rates of soil application – 1-2 kg / ha for nursery horticultural crops; 2.5-5 kg/ ha for field crops

APPLICATIONS

1. Reduces leaching of herbicides and fertilizers
2. Improves physical properties of soils and soil-less media
3. Improves seed germination and seedling emergence rate
4. improves root growth and density
5. Helps plants withstand prolonged moisture stress
6. Reduces nursery establishment period
7. Reduces irrigation and fertilization requirements of crops.
8. Promotes early and dense flowering and fruiting/ tillering.
9. Delays onset of permanent wilting point.