Hydrogels Based on Glucomannan and their Utilization in Agriculture

Abstract

The aim of study was to prepare and characterize hydrogels based on modified glucomannan for their utilization as regulators of soil moisture and plant nutrition. Glucomannan is a natural polysaccharide composed of repeating units of glucose and mannose. Hydrogels were formed using deacetylation glucomannan chain through base or using phosphorylating agents. Physicochemical properties were measured for prepared hydrogels, such as the swelling tests in water, the rate of swelling and drying, the dependence of solubility of hydrogel on the temperature and number of swelling cycles. Also the swelling of hydrogel was examined in saturated solutions of (NH4)2SO4 and urea, and the rate of release of nutrients into the aqueous medium.