Agriculture 4.0: Polymer Hydrogels as Delivery Agents of Active Ingredients

  • 0Higher School of Printing and Media Technologies, St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design, 18 Bolshaya Morskaya Street, 191186 St. Petersburg, Russia.

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Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Polymer hydrogels enhance agriculture by retaining water and releasing nutrients, improving crop yield and soil quality. Bio-based hydrogels are preferred for sustainable farming, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources.

Area Of Science

  • Agricultural Science
  • Materials Science
  • Environmental Science

Background

  • Modern agriculture (Agriculture 4.0) faces food supply challenges.
  • Polymer hydrogels offer solutions through water retention and controlled release of agrochemicals.
  • They improve soil quality and deliver active ingredients for plant growth.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To explore the role of polymer hydrogels in sustainable agriculture.
  • To analyze the impact of hydrogels on plant growth, development, and yield.
  • To compare natural versus synthetic hydrogels for agricultural applications.

Main Methods

  • Review of polymer hydrogel applications in agriculture.
  • Analysis of hydrogel properties for water and nutrient management.
  • Life cycle assessment of bio-based versus synthetic hydrogels.

Main Results

  • Hydrogels improve water use efficiency and reduce irrigation needs.
  • Controlled fertilizer release minimizes chemical overuse and environmental impact.
  • Bio-based hydrogels (cellulose, starch, etc.) offer sustainable advantages over synthetic ones.

Conclusions

  • Polymer hydrogels are vital for sustainable agriculture and farming.
  • Bio-based hydrogels align with eco-friendly practices and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
  • Further research into hydrogel applications can optimize agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship.