Applications of Absorbent Polymers for Sustainable Plant Protection and Crop Yield

Hazem S. Elshafie and Ippolito Camele
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Hazem S. Elshafie: School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE), University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Ippolito Camele: School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE), University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Natural strategies for protecting the environment as well as plant, animal and human health is considered one of the main goals of developed countries. Recently, the use of absorbent polymers and hydrogel in agriculture has demonstrated several benefits for soil amendments, saving water content, reducing the consumption of soil nutrients, minimizing the negative impacts of dehydration and moisture stress in crops and controlling several phytopathogens. The seed-coating technology for establishing the crops is a recent common practice used for improving seed protection and enhancing plant growth. Coating materials include absorbent polymers and hydrogels based on growth regulators, pesticides, fertilizers and antagonist microorganisms. The current review has highlighted the importance of different types of superabsorbent polymers and hydrogels in an integrated strategy to protect seeds, plants and soil in a balanced manner to preserve the ecosystem.

Keywords: biological control; sustainable production; phytopathogens; hydrogel; environmental protection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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