National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) an enterprise under the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India and M/s Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai executed an agreement for commercialization of “A Novel Superabsorbent Hydrogels” technology.  This involves a novel hydrophilic super absorbent polymer indigenously developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to meet the requirements of water productivity in Agriculture. The scientists had successfully demonstrated the potential of resolving the problem of poor water use efficiency in agricultural crops. Besides, improved nutrient use efficiency, an array of other benefits have been achieved by using this product.

            NRDC is about to execute another agreement with a Chennai based company for the transfer of the same technology. NRDC has already executed agreements with five companies.

            Hydrogel absorbs a minimum of 350 times its weight of pure water at 50⁰C. It exhibits absorbency at high temperatures suitable for semi-arid and arid regions. Besides, low rate of application it also improves physical properties of soil such as porosity, aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity.

Key Characteristics:

·        Less affected by the presence of salts in its immediate environment

·        Improves physical properties of soils and the soil less media

·        Improves seed germination and the rate of seedling emergence

·        Improves root growth and density

·        Helps plants withstand prolonged moisture stress

·        Reduces nursery establishment period

·        Reduces irrigation and fertilization requirements of crops with improved input use efficiency

No undesirable effect on the crops raised in the fields treated with hydrogel has ever been observed or reported by the experimenters or the end users, the farmers

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KSP/AK/SG