Development and Applications of Carboxymethyl Tamarind Kernel Gum based Hydrogels

Abstract

The solely goal is to help Indian farmers to grow more food with less water. Keeping in perspective newlinethe fact that there s a need of an irrigation system that is reliable and requires less investment, low newlinewater supply, and low maintenance. Henceforth, the objective has been kept to synthesize a newlinebiodegradable biopolymer based superabsorbent hydrogel that can sustain the crops for longer newlineperiod of time even with lesser irrigation, supporting the cause of water conservation along with newlineacting as a soil conditioner by being the carrier vehicle of micro-nutrients. newlineThe novel superabsorbent hydrogels were fabricated by interpenetrating carboxymethyl tamarind newlinekernel gum with sodium-acrylate. The synthesis of SAH was verified by characterization using newlineFourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, scanning electron newlinemicroscopy and swelling studies under various solutions. The hydrogel formed was found out to newlinebe bio-degradable (soil burial biodegradation test). Maximum water holding capacity, bulk newlinedensity, porosity and water retention capacity of soil were evaluated to see the effects on soil by newlinethe hydrogel treatment. The synthesized SAH was then tested to display promising potential as newlinesoil conditioner for agricultural applications. newline