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Given the critical need for more efficient water and nutrient utilization to optimize crop yields, effective strategies in water and nutrient management are essential. The development of a self-irrigation and slow-release fertilizer hydrogel (SISRH) represents a promising approach. SISRH, a hydrogel with hygroscopic polymer chains interpenetrated by a thermoresponsive network, enhances plant growth through controlled yet self-sustained water and nutrient delivery. The hydrogel demonstrates diurnal functionality: it absorbs water vapor at night and releases it during the day due to a phase transition in the polymer, with incorporated calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) further improving hygroscopic properties and controlled nutrient release. SISRH facilitates a slow-release of nutrients and can achieve ∼40% water savings, significantly reducing the need for frequent irrigation and ensuring robust crop development. The integration of SISRH in soil offers a promising solution to meet the pressing needs of water scarcity and efficient nutrient uptake in modern sustainable agriculture.
Park et al. (Wed,) studied this question.