Effects of hydrogel application on soil water retention characteristics, soil evaporation, and saturated hydraulic conductivity in soils with different textures

Abstract

Hydrogels allow water to be retained in soil environment and released slowly. This study investigated the effects of hydrogel applied at different levels (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 (w/w)) to soils with clay, loamy, and sandy loam textures on soil water relations. The changes in bulk density, field capacity, permanent wilting point, available water content, evaporation process (drying curve), and hydraulic conductivity due to hydrogel application were determined. With the increasing rate of hydrogel, soil bulk density decreased by 6.9%, 7.1%, and 12.5% in clay, loam, and sandy loam textured soils respectively. Similarly field capacity and available water content increased vin all soils with application. The average water contents of hydrogel-added clay, loam, and sandy loam textured soils compared to the control soil during the evaporation process from saturated to dry state were found to be 29.5%, 38.11%, and 88.47%, respectively. Increasing the dose of hydrogel applied to the soil, increased the hydraulic conductivity which are lower in loamy textured soils than in clay and sandy loam textured soils.