Abstract

This study evaluated a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogel synthesized from hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (GIPANA) and an anionic polyacrylamide component cross-linked with formaldehyde for improving soil water status and crop performance under arid field conditions in the Turkistan Region (Saryagash District, Kazakhstan) during the 2024 growing season. A randomized complete block design with three replicates tested three crops (rice, wheat, saffron) under three hydrogel treatments: control (T0), 0.2% (w/w) hydrogel (T1), and 0.4% (w/w) hydrogel (T2), with identical crop-specific irrigation inputs across treatments. Soil moisture was monitored using TDR at 0–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm depths over time; field infiltration, wetting depth, and a retention coefficient were determined using double-ring infiltrometry; and laboratory swelling capacity was measured for unmodified and Ca–P modified hydrogels. The experimental soil remained non-saline and chemically stable across the season, enabling attribution of observed responses primarily to hydrogel amendment. Hydrogel application increased volumetric soil water content in a consistent dose-responsive manner acrss crops and depths, with the largest and most persistent gains under T2, particularly in the 20–40 cm layer in rice later in the season. In parallel, infiltration rate, wetting depth, and retention coefficient increased substantially with hydrogel dose. Laboratory tests confirmed rapid swelling and high absorption capacity, which further increased with Ca–P modification. Improved soil water availability translated into enhanced vegetative growth (plant height and leaf number) and higher yields in all crops, with T2 providing the most consistent agronomic benefits. Overall, the results demonstrate that GIPANA–polyacrylamide hydrogel amendment can improve root-zone moisture dynamics, soil water transmission, and crop productivity in arid irrigated systems, supporting its use within integrated water-saving soil management strategies.

Keywords: Superabsorbent polymer, Hydrogel, Soil moisture, Infiltration, Arid irrigated agriculture.

References

Abdelgelil, A.A., Omer, A.M., Hassan, A.F. Moustafa, A.A., Mohy Eldin, M.S., 2025. Enhancement of sandy soil water retention using superabsorbent carboxymethyl cellulose grafted with polyacrylamide and polyacrylamidomethyl propanesulfonic acid copolymer. Scientific Reports 15: 16604.

Abdelghafar, R., Abdelfattah, A., Mostafa, H., 2024. Effect of super absorbent hydrogel on hydro-physical properties of soil under deficit irrigation. Scientific Reports 14: 11712.

Adireddy, R.G., Manna, S., Patanjali, N., Singh, A., Dass, A., Mahanta, D., Singh, V.K., 2024. Unveiling superabsorbent hydrogels efficacy through modified agronomic practices in soybean–wheat system under semi-arid regions of South Asia. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 210(4): e12730.

Adjuik, T. A., Nokes, S. E., Montross, M. D., Wendroth, O., 2022. The Impacts of bio-based and synthetic hydrogels on soil hydraulic properties: A review. Polymers 14(21): 4721.

Bulanbayeva, P., Shomantayev, A., Daldabayeva, G., Shegenbayev, A., Otarbayev, B., Absatova, B., Baimakhanov, O., Kuspangaliyeva, K., 2025. Optimization and evaluation of wastewater and groundwater blending for irrigation in Arid Regions of Kazakhstan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 14(4): 359-375.

Chang, L., Xu, L., Liu, Y., Qiu, D., 2021. Superabsorbent polymers used for agricultural water retention. Polymer Testing 94: 107021.

Chapman, H.D., 1965. Cation-Exchange Capacity. In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 891-901.

Das, D., Chingakham, N., Sarma, M., Basu, S., Bhaladhare, S., 2025. Cellulose-based biodegradable superabsorbent hydrogel: A sustainable approach for water conservation and plant growth in agriculture. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 305: 141176.

Ghobashy, M.M., Amin, M.A., Mustafa, A.E., El-diehy, M.A., El Damhougy, B.K., Nady, N., 2024. Synthesis and application of a multifunctional poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)-based superabsorbent hydrogel for controlled fertilizer release and enhanced water retention in drought-stressed Pisum sativum plants. Scientific Reports 14: 27734.

GOST 12536-2014. Soils. Methods of laboratory granulometric (grain-size) and microaggregate distribution. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-138335-gost-12536-2014.aspx

GOST 26213-91. Soils. Methods for determination of organic matter. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-52750-gost-26213-91.aspx

GOST 26483-85. Soils. Preparations of salt extract and determination of its pH by CINAO method. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-50090-gost-26483-85.aspx

GOST 5180-2015. Soils. Methods for laboratory determination of physical characteristics. Available at [Access date: 13.07.2025]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-139346-gost-5180-2015.aspx

Ingrao, C., Strippoli, R., Lagioia, G., Huisingh, D., 2023. Water scarcity in agriculture: An overview of causes, impacts and approaches for reducing the risks. Heliyon 9(8): e18507.

Kishor, N., Khanna, M., Rajanna, G.A., Singh, M., Singh, A., Singh, S., Banerjee, T., Patanjali, N., Rajput, I., Kiruthiga, B., 2024. Soil water distribution and water productivity in red cabbage crop using superabsorbent polymeric hydrogels under different drip irrigation regimes. Agricultural Water Management 295: 108759.

Krasnopeeva, E.L., Panova, G.G., Yakimansky, A.V., 2022. Agricultural applications of superabsorbent polymer hydrogels. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23(23): 15134.

Manabaev , N., Yussupov, S., Azimov, A., Ibragimova , Z., Userov, A., Kultassov, B., Manabaev, R., Suleimenova , Z., 2026. Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15(1): 1-13.

Naushabayev, A.K., Vassilina , T.K., Rsymbetov, B.A., Seitkali, N., Balgabayev, A.M., Bakenova, Z.B., 2022. Effects of different polymer hydrogels on moisture capacity of sandy soil. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 11(3): 241-247.

Nilahyane, A., Ghimire, R., Sharma Acharya, B., Schipanski, M.E., West, C.P., Obour, A.K., 2023. Overcoming agricultural sustainability challenges in water-limited environments through soil health and water conservation: insights from the Ogallala Aquifer Region, USA. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 21(1): 2211484.

Omar, H., Alsharaeh, E., 2024. Improving water retention in sandy soils with high-performance superabsorbents hydrogel polymer. ACS Omega 9: 14954–14968.

Palma, D., Lagos, O., Souto, C., Pérez, A., Quezada, L., Hirzel, J., Vera, M., Ulloa, J., Urbano, B., 2024. Evaluation of a natural superabsorbent polymer on water retention capacity in coarse-textured soils. Water 16(22): 3186.

Rajanna, G.A., Manna, S., Singh, A., Babu, S., Singh, V.K., Dass, A., Chakraborty, D., Patanjali, N., Chopra, I., Banerjee, T., Kumar, A., Khandelwal, A., Parmar, B.S., 2022. Biopolymeric superabsorbent hydrogels enhance crop and water productivity of soybean–wheat system in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Scientific Reports 12: 11955.

Rathore, S.S., Shekhawat, K., Babu, S., Singh, V.K., 2020. Mitigating moisture stress in Brassica juncea through deficit irrigation scheduling and hydrogel in ustocherpts soils of semi-arid India. Heliyon 6: e05786.  

Rizwan, M., Gilani, S. R., Iqbal, A., Durani, A. I., Naseem, S., 2021. Materials diversity of hydrogel: Synthesis, polymerization process and soil conditioning properties in agricultural field. Journal of Advanced Research 33: 15–40.

Rowell, D.L., 1996. Soil Science: methods and applications. Longman, UK. 350p.

Satriani, A., Catalano, M., Scalcione, E., 2018. The role of superabsorbent hydrogel in bean crop cultivation under deficit irrigation conditions: A case-study in Southern Italy. Agricultural Water Management 195: 114–119.

Tokbergenova, A., Kaliyeva, D., Zulpykharov, K., Taukebayev, O., Salmurzauly, R., Assanbayeva, A., Mukhtarov, U., Bilalov, B., Tokkozhayev, D., 2025. Spatiotemporal assessment of climate change impacts on pasture ecosystems in central Kazakhstan using remote sensing and spatial analysis. Sustainability 17(22): 10331.