Super absorbent polymer composites for sustainable agriculture - A Review

Climate change threatens the global as well as the Indian agriculture system, with special emphasis on soil water retention. Super-absorbent polymers (SAPs), or hydrogels, can have a promising role in improving crop resilience to drought. This paper critically reviews various research articles evaluating SAPs for their ability to absorb, retain, and slowly release water, and their role in enhancing irrigation efficiency, soil health, and input utilisation. SAPs improve soil health by enhancing aggregate stability and organic matter retention, while reducing runoff, erosion, and nutrient leaching. Review of research across various crops highlights SAPs' potential in climate-resilient farming. By supporting sustainable input use and mitigating drought impacts, SAPs contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, 13, and 15, helping ensure food security and environmental sustainability under changing climatic conditions. However, further studies are needed to refine application methods, assess long-term impacts, and evaluate economic and environmental viability.