Pedosphere (4): 932--946, 2026
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2026 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Optimizing water retention and nutrient release in soil with diammonium phosphate-loaded guar gum/diatomite composite hydrogel: Implications for agriculture |
Poonam BARALA, Parul SANGWAN, Jyoti YADAV, Vinita HOODA |
| Department of Botany, Faculty of Life Sciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001 (India) |
| ABSTRACT |
| Agriculture faces challenges from frequent droughts and excessive fertilizer use, impacting crop yield and environmental health. This study aimed to develop a diammonium phosphate (DAP)-loaded guar gum-g-poly(acrylic acid-acrylamide)/diatomite composite hydrogel to enhance water and fertilizer use efficiency in soil. The structure of the hydrogel was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Field-emission scanning electron microscope images revealed enhanced surface morphology. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis showed increased specific surface area, and the Langmuir method indicated enhanced porosity, following diatomite incorporation. Plant growth and soil parameters were evaluated with the DAP-loaded composite hydrogel applied at 0.1%-0.3% (weight/weight). The results showed that the hydrogel had positive effects on both plant growth and soil properties. The soil amended with 0.3% hydrogel showed a 45% increase in water retention at 25 ℃, along with reduced bulk density, improved porosity, and increased populations of plant growth-promoting bacteria. Nitrogen and phosphorus release followed Fickian diffusion, with 81% of nitrogen and 92% of phosphorus released over 10 d. Application of the composite hydrogel improved seed germination, growth, and biochemical markers in mustard (Brassica juncea) plants under drought stress, highlighting the hydrogel's potential for agricultural applications. The results demonstrate that the DAP-loaded hydrogel enhanced water and nutrient management, effectively supporting plant growth in water-stressed conditions. |
| Key Words: biochemical marker,diatomite,drought stress,Fickian diffusion,Korsmeyer-Peppas model,P-solubilizing bacteria,plant growth-promoting bacteria,seed germination |
| Citation: Barala P, Sangwan P, Yadav J, Hooda V. 2026. Optimizing water retention and nutrient release in soil with diammonium phosphate-loaded guar gum/diatomite composite hydrogel: Implications for agriculture. Pedosphere. 36(4): 932-946. |
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