Boosting Soil Moisture With Nature's Power: Curcuma longa ‐Infused Bio‐Hydrogels Based on AA/Agar/Gelatin and AA/Agar/Potato Starch

The lack of water in arid areas affects the level of agricultural productivity greatly. Although synthetic hydrogels enhance soil water retention, they are not biodegradable and expensive. In this study, we have formulated bio‐based superabsorbent hydrogels synthesized using acrylic acid (AA) crosslinked with (i) gelatin/agar, (ii) gelatin/potato starch, and loaded with 3 and 7 wt% Curcuma longa (turmeric) as a natural bioactive material. These hydrogels were analyzed using FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, EDS/Mapp analysis, and TGA. The most successful composition containing 7 wt% Curcuma longa in gelatin/agar has shown swelling ability of 1742% in 6 h, water retention of more than 50% for 22 days, and biodegradability in 30 days with 98% degradation. The studied hydrogel worked effectively under neutral conditions (pH = 7) and in saline solutions (0.9–3% NaCl). Radish plant growth analysis has shown a plant length increase of 68% for 35 days. Fungal contamination has not been found during the experiment. The proposed bio‐hydrogel is a potential soil water enhancer for use in agriculture under drought conditions.