Drought proof by biotechnology

With the super absorbent polymer from tapioca starch, the Institute of Chemistry (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) has successfully applied water-absorbing polymers to agriculture, helping plants retain water. drought areas, minimizing the crisis phenomenon due to lack of water in crops.

Super water-absorbing polymers were studied on the basis of modified cassava starch and oxidized starch with different contents (10 to 15%). With swellings 325 to 470 times in distilled water depending on the amount of starch, acts as a sponge, swelling and shrinking hydrate and hydration. Water is kept stable for plants because water-absorbing polymers cannot be separated by pressure to 5 bar.

A small pinch of powder can fill a tray of water.(Photo: ND)

This product has a special ability to absorb water, physiological saline, urine, blood and other solutions. Its durability for bacteria may vary, and depending on a number of factors, in a well-ventilated condition only a small breakdown occurs. Under anaerobic conditions, water-absorbing polymers can be decomposed by iron ions produced during the operation of sulfate-reducing bacteria.

So far, super absorbent polymer materials have been studied to apply in many fields such as making toilet paper, thickening agent, waterproofing agent, sweat absorbent . So when researching , scientists found that in addition to other areas, the applicability of agriculture to water-absorbing polymers is very high .

With features such as improved clay, sandy soil for planting; ensure water for transporting and moving crops; " sucking " rain water and irrigation water to increase the ability of moisturizing to change seasonal cultivation; keeping the amount of fertilizer that is not lost in the rainy season . this material opens a stable path for water supply to plants, minimizing the crisis caused by water shortage in plants.

Water-absorbing polymers contribute to the formation of a new research direction in Vietnam, contributing to accelerating the modernization of agriculture, which so far people have only used a traditional use. With 25 to 30 kg of super-absorbable polymer, it can improve and retain moisture for one hectare of agricultural land, doubling the productivity with little investment.

THANH VAN