The growth impact of Capsicum annuum crops in hydrogel incorporated media

Abstract

Increasing food and water security via sustainable agriculture is vital, particularly in light of climate change. Researchers and farmers have recently shown a great deal of interest in the agricultural applications of hydrogels. This research aims to evaluate the impact of hydrogel on Capsicum annuum crop productivity and irrigation water use effectiveness. In a polybag containing a specifically formulated mixture of hydrogel and topsoil, the pepper variety cv Bara was contained. The use of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% biodegradable hydrogel doses per plant was also investigated. The treatment schedule was established using a random complete block strategy. Investigated factors included water usage, irrigation frequency, plant height, leaf number, leaf area, and leaf area index. According to the study's findings, 40 percent hydrogel and 60 percent topsoil per plant produced the optimum growth characteristics. The results of the study indicate that hydrogel able to hold water, circulating water into the media and enhancing the water usage efficiency of pepper crops without affecting plant growth.