UTILIZATION OF SODIUM ALGINATE HYDROGEL AS A SUSTAINABLE PLANTING MEDIUM

Abstract

Soil quality degradation can be attributed to both individual and industrial human activities, directly or indirectly. The depletion of soil nutrients, specifically nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), contributes to a decline in soil fertility. Sodium alginate, when employed as a planting medium, exhibits notable efficacy in the absorption and subsequent release of nutrients and water due to its inherent stability. The robust capacity for absorption and resilience to SA is attributed to covalent crosslinking with elemental hydrogen or essential plant nutrients. The ionotropic gelation process was used to make alginate hydrogel, and a solution of CaCl₂ was used as the crosslinking agent. The results of this study suggest that augmenting the potassium concentration can enhance plant growth rate, hence aiding the attainment of optimal plant height. Sodium alginate-based hydrogels exhibit potential as a feasible alternative for utilization as planting substrates