Assessment of the Water Conservation Potential and Mode of Application of Coconut (cocos Nucifera) Husk Hydrogel on Soil Cultivated to Coconut Seedling

Coconut husk cellulosic-polyacrylonitrile hydrogel was synthesized in aqueous solution. Saponification of grafted copolymer was done by reaction with sodium hydroxide followed by methanol precipitation. The reaction was confirmed using FTIR and characterized in terms of water retention value (286g/g) and de-swelling ratio (83.16%). Soil samples collected were prepared and analyzed for physico-chemical properties in the laboratory using standard techniques. The water conservation properties of the hydrogel –soil mixture samples in which coconut seedlings have been planted were measured as a function of the mode of hydrogel application (Variables A-D), loading (W1-W4) and compared with the values obtained in the control in which hydrogel was not added. The hydrogel showed significant improvement in soil water conservation and water retention ability. The results of the hydrogel mode of application showed that there was increase in the ability of the soil to retain moisture and also there was significant increase in the growth performance of the coconut seedlings