Effects of a hydrogel on the cambic chernozem soil's hydrophysic indicators and plant morphophysiological parameters

•Aquasorb effect on cambic-chernozem soil by laboratory/field experiments was assessed.•Aquasorb action on soil hydrophysic indicators and maize/soybean yield was recorded.•Applied doses of Aquasorb improve the values of the plant morphological parameters.•Aquasorb protects crops by a delayed reaching of the drought critical threshold.

Aquasorb is claimed to ensure the controlled release of water under drought condition, which could significantly reduce the hydric stress of agricultural crops. The aim of the study was to evaluate the interaction between cambic chernozem soil and a hydrophilic polymer (Aquasorb) derived from polyacrylamide and potassium acrylate. The laboratory experiment investigated the interactions between soil and hydrogel by macro- and microscopical investigation. The main surface characteristics of Aquasorb were determined by scanning electron microscopy. In the field experiment, the soil hydro-physical indicators (moisture, soil water reserve, soil total porosity and bulk density) and some plant morphological parameters (height, grains per cob, pods per plant, chlorophyll content) were studied, for maize and soybean crops. The experimental data were analysed using the ANOVA test, and a strong correlation between soil moisture and agricultural yields was established (r = 0.9796 for maize and r = 0.9720 for soybean crop). The hydrogel administration improved the cambic chernozem hydro-physical indicators and plant morphological parameters. These results sustain the existence of a direct relationship between the applied doses, the values of the studied parameters and the agricultural yields. Our study suggested that Aquasorb is able to ensure a normal growth for plants during dryness periods, fact that can often be decisive for saving crops.