A newly engineered type of soil can capture water out of thin air to keep plants hydrated and manage controlled release of fertilizer for a constant supply of nutrients.
Underpinning this exciting smart soil system is a hydrogel material developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. In experiments, the hydrogel-infused soil led to the growth of larger, healthier plants, compared to regular soil, all while using less water and fertilizer.
"The global water scarcity coupled with a growing population has an immediate impact on food security," said Yu, professor of materials science in the Cockrell School of Engineering's Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute."This new class of hydrogels offers a promising solution to meet the pressing needs of water scarcity and efficient nutrient uptake in modern sustainable agriculture.
This work mainly focused on calcium-based fertilizers. The project will continue, and the researchers' next moves involve integrating different types of fertilizers and longer field tests.
Agriculture And Food Food And Agriculture Nature Of Water Civil Engineering Materials Science Water Sustainability Environmental Issues
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