Hydrogel Based on Cashew Gum and Polyacrylamide as a Potential Water Supplier in Mombaça Grass Pastures: A Sustainable Alternative for Agriculture

Hydrogels are water-absorbing polymers that can hydrate forage plants in the soil. The objective was to evaluate the replacement of synthetic hydrogels derived from petroleum with biodegradable hydrogels in Mombaca grass pastures (Megathyrsus maximum). The experimental treatments consisted of no hydrogel (NH); synthetic commercial hydrogel (CH), made from a synthetic polyacrylamide product; and biodegradable test hydrogel (TH), obtained from cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale). The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with five replications and three treatments. The morphogenesis, production, chemical, and mineral composition of the Mombaca grass pasture were assessed. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and mean comparison using the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The leaf elongation rate showed 42.3 mm day-1 in the treatment TH, which was higher (p < 0.05) than NH (35.0 mm day-1). The green leaf mass yield was higher in TH than in NH and CH. On the other hand, hydration had no effect on the chemical composition. The mineral composition of Mombaca grass showed more Zn when TH was used. It can be concluded that biodegradable hydrogels can replace synthetic commercial hydrogels in pastures.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the replacement of synthetic hydrogels with biodegradable hydrogels in Mombaca grass pastures. The results showed that biodegradable hydrogels can improve the leaf elongation rate and green leaf mass yield, but had no significant effect on the chemical composition. The use of biodegradable hydrogels also increased the zinc content in the grass.