Functional Persistence of Hydrogels in Soil and Their Effects on Maize Drought Tolerance

• Grant number: 25/13844-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Soil and Water Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Ferrari Putti
• Grantee: Fernando Ferrari Putti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Tupã
• Associated research grant: 22/03005-2 - Development of new technologies to reduce the effects of water stress in models integrated into nutrient administration, AP.PNGP.PI
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/22985-6 - Functional persistence of hydrogels in soil and their effects on maize tolerance to water deficit, BP.IC

Abstract

The intensification of extreme weather events, particularly drought periods, has significantly compromised agricultural productivity, especially in sensitive crops such as maize (Zea mays L.). In this context, hydrogels have emerged as a promising technology to mitigate water stress due to their high water retention capacity in the soil. However, little is known about their functional persistence across multiple cropping cycles and the residual effects on plant physiological performance. This project aims to evaluate the residual effects of hydrogels in mitigating water stress in maize and to correlate these effects with the degradation rates of the materials in the soil. The study will be conducted in a greenhouse over three consecutive cultivation cycles, with hydrogels applied only during the first cycle. Two types of hydrogel formulations (carboxymethylcellulose and sodium polyacrylate) will be tested at different application rates. Physiological evaluations will include gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, biomass accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activity, and oxidative stress markers. In parallel, a hydrogel degradation assay will be conducted using respirometers to monitor CO¿ evolution, allowing for the estimation of decomposition kinetics and half-life, with or without the presence of maize straw. The expected results will support more sustainable and effective recommendations for hydrogel use in agricultural systems, considering their functional durability and potential benefits for enhancing plant drought tolerance. (AU)