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Hydrogels: A Smart Approach for Sustainable Agriculture

Increasing water scarcity and the increasing population of the world pose many challenges to sustainable agriculture practices. Hydrogel is a type of material that can be used due to its ability to absorb, retain, and slowly release nutrients and water. In regions where there is a scarcity of water, hydrogel helps crops withstand drought and facilitates growth by retaining soil moisture. Moreover, they play an important role in controlling release of nutrients in agriculture and thereby reducing pollution. Using hydrogels with seeds helps crops grow even in stress conditions. They are also beneficial in contemporary agricultural methods like hydroponics and improving soil properties. Nevertheless, several challenges are associated with synthetic hydrogels such as their exorbitant costs and lack of knowledge among farmers about them.