The Synergic Effect of Whey-Based Hydrogel Amendment on Soil Water Holding Capacity and Availability of Nutrients for More Efficient Valorization of Dairy By-Products

• Published in: Sustainability 2021-10, Vol.13 (19), p.10701
• Main Authors: Čechmánková, Jarmila, Skála, Jan, Sedlařík, Vladimír, Duřpeková, Silvie, Drbohlav, Jan, Šalaková, Alexandra, Vácha, Radim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acidic soils; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Biocompatibility; Biodegradability; Biodegradable materials; Biodegradation; Cation exchange; Cation exchanging; Cellulose; Citric acid; Climate change; Dairy farms; Dairy industry; Experiments; Hydrogels; Kaolinite; Laboratories; Moisture content; Nitrogen; Nutrient availability; Nutrients; Organic carbon; Peat; Retention; Sandy soils; Soil chemistry; Soil conditions; Soil improvement; Soil pH; Soil properties; Soil quality; Soil testing; Soil water; Water availability; Water content; Water quality; Whey
• ISSN: 2071-1050; 2071-1050
• DOI: 10.3390/su131910701

Agricultural production is influenced by the water content in the soil and the availability of nutrients. Recently, changes in the quantity and seasonal water availability are expected to impact agriculture due to climate change. This study aimed to test an agricultural product with promising properties to improve soil quality and water-holding capacity during agricultural application. Most of the traditional hydrogels are low-biodegradable synthetic materials with under-researched long-term fate in field soil conditions. The novel, biodegradable hydrogel made from acid whey and cellulose derivatives cross-linked with citric acid was used. The soil-improving effects were tested under controlled experimental conditions with the sandy artificial soil consisting of 10% finely ground sphagnum peat, 20% kaolinite clay, and 70% quartz sand. Soil pH, the content of organic carbon (Cox), total nitrogen (N), available forms of the essential macronutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg), the cation exchange capacity (CEC), the maximum water capacity (MWC) and water holding capacity (WHC) were determined. The results showed a positive effect on water retention and basic soil properties after the different levels of hydrogel had been introduced into the soil. Generally, the addition of whey-based hydrogel increases the available nutrients concentration and water retention in soil.