Temperature limitations in the use of hydrogels on leptosols in a semi-arid region of Brazil

Due to their high-water retention capacity, hydrogels are considered promising soil conditioners improve plant available water content in semi-arid environments; however, little is known about how temperature affects the functionality of hydrogels. In this study, effect on physical attributes amended with a Acrylamide-co-Potassium Acrylate hydrogel was evaluated. A laboratory experiment installed scheme (4 × 4) x 4 - four temperatures (30, 45, 65 and 105 °C), exposure times (40, 70, 100, 130 days) repetitions. The test Leptsol sandy loam texture applied at dose 0.1% w w−1. Soil moisture field capacity (θFC) permanent wilting point (θWP), (AW), bulk density (BD), porosity were resulting data subjected two-way analysis variance. increased θFC soil, from 0.14 0.19 m3 m−3 45 °C 56 days. At 40 days, minimum θWP (0.05 m−3) observed 92 °C. general, increased, while decreased, providing improved storage. Plant up three higher across range 30–105 all treatments irrespective time, BD comparison un-amended control. This constitutes an advantage use as conditioner. Even interaction abiotic factors acting hydrogel, there beneficial effects storage BD, porosity.