A novel cross-linked hydrogel has been synthesized through graft copolymerization of acrylic acid onto Gum tragacanth, in the presence of ascorbic acid–potassium persulphate as an initiator. Characterization of the synthesized hydrogel was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that 10% (w/w) swelled hydrogel could increase the moisture contents of the clay and sandy loam soil up to 5.35% and 4.49%, respectively. Furthermore, the synthesized material was used as a device for sustained release of calcium chloride for longer time. Such properties of synthesized hydrogel like swelling and water retaining capacity can be exploited in the field of agriculture.
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Kaith et al. (2014) studied this question.
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