Enhancing Growth
and Biochemical Traits of Helianthus annuus L. Under Drought Stress Using a
Super Absorbent Dextrin–Polyacrylamide Hydrogel as a Soil Conditioner
posted on 2024-01-12, 22:13authored bySamera
Ali Al-Gahtany, Abeer S. Meganid, Dalal Mohamed Alshangiti, Sheikha A. Alkhursani, Mohamed Mohamady Ghobashy, Mohamed A. Amin, Tasneam K. El-Damhougy, Atheer S. Almutairi, Mohamed Madani
Drought stress significantly affects plant growth and
productivity,
including sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.). Superabsorbent hydrogels, specifically composed of dextrin and
polyacrylamide, offer a potential solution to mitigate drought stress
and enhance the biochemical traits of sunflowers. This study explored
the impact of copolymer composition on the gel fraction, swelling
behavior, water retention, morphology, and chemical structure of dextrin
(Dix)/polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels synthesized via radical polymerization.
Results revealed that the 50/50 ratio of the Dix/PAAm hydrogel exhibited
desirable characteristics, including a heterogeneous pore structure
(approximately 100 μm) and higher water absorption capacity
attributed to a greater Dix content. In a pot experiment, the (Dix/PAAm)
hydrogel played a crucial role in alleviating the harmful effects
of drought stress on the growth, chlorophyll content, fresh shoot
weight, and pigments in sunflowers. The hydrogel application positively
influenced these parameters by enhancing water retention, nutrient
availability, and physiological responses to drought stress. Overall,
these findings highlight the potential of the (Dix/PAAm) hydrogel
as an effective tool for enhancing plant resilience to drought stress
and promoting growth and biochemical traits in sunflowers.