Effects of hydrogel on moisture volume in soils with different textures

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the wetting volume (wet bulb) of the hydrogel applied to three types of soil. Soils used were: a) clay (clay 52%; silt 32%; sand 16%); b) silty clay loam (36% clay; 56% silt; 6% sand) c) sandy loam (12% clay; 32% silt; 56% sand), to which 1% potassium hydrogel was applied. The application was made with previously hydrated hydrogel, in three diameters that were: 4.7, 7.0 and 10.5 cm with a length of 10 cm where the following initial volumes were obtained 173.5, 384.8 and 866 cm3 occupied by the hydrogel. The wetting volume (cm3), moisture percent, and the hydration of the hydrogel in the soil were measured. The results indicate that the humidification volume depends on the initial volume, so the higher the initial volume, the greater the humidification volume regardless of the type of soil; however, it presents a greater volume of humidification in the sandy loam soil, probably due to mobility of the water in it. The moistened area increases its humidity by 14% regardless of the type of soil. The hydration of the hydrogel in the soil only reaches 42% compared to hydrating it in free water. Determining the volume of wetting allows estimating the amount and location of hydrogel to be applied to a crop based on the bulb that needs to be formed in the soil.