POLYMER HYDROGEL – APPLICATION RATE AND WATER SAVINGS

Аннотация

This article presents the results of field experiments conducted on meadow sierozem soils in the Tashkent region, where 40 kg per hectare of polymer hydrogel was applied for the joint cultivation of cotton and soybean. The results demonstrate that during the growing season, the efficiency of irrigation water use increased by 15–17%, and it became possible to achieve a cotton yield of 30.7 centners per hectare. Introduction: Preserving and consistently improving the productivity and meliorative state of our valuable irrigated lands, as well as ensuring the efficient use of irrigation water, are currently stimulating further research by our scientists and sector specialists. Ensuring adequate water supply for agricultural crops, saving irrigation water, and obtaining two or more harvests from the same field within a single season through the use of innovative technologies have become crucial. In this regard, various scientific studies have been carried out by researchers, including cultivating two different crops simultaneously on a single plot, achieving high and quality yields, maintaining and enhancing soil fertility, stabilizing the meliorative condition of irrigated lands, producing additional food products, and using hydrogels in crop production to reduce water consumption. These scientific efforts aim to increase the efficiency of land and water use in cotton farming, support the economic stability of farming enterprises, and open new opportunities for farmers during market reform periods. Research Methods: To address the aforementioned issues, for the first time we conducted field studies in the conditions of medium and heavy loamy meadow sierozem soils at the “Mamatkarim Dilshodjon” farm located in the Orta Chirchik district of Tashkent region. In these studies, polymer hydrogel was applied for the joint cultivation of leguminous crops (soybean) with cotton. The objective was to explore the influence of this method on soil fertility, seasonal 115 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference water use, cotton productivity, and the overall efficiency of land and water resource utilization. These efforts were directed toward providing scientific solutions for increasing food supply, preventing ecological and meliorative degradation of the environment, expanding agricultural production, and improving the economic efficiency of farming. The significance of hydrogel use in agriculture, its optimal application rates, and hydrogel synthesis have been extensively studied, notably by Professor A.T. Djalilov. In addition, Professors M.Kh. Khamidov, A.T. Salokhiddinov, N.B. Egamberdiyev, and other scholars have investigated the role of hydrogels in improving water use efficiency in cotton and companion crop cultivation. In the current global context, where climate change and ecological challenges are intensifying—particularly in Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan—water scarcity is becoming more acute. According to data from the AgroUz website, while droughts occurred once every 6–8 years before 2000, in recent decades, such events are now repeating every 2–3 years [2]. These negative trends naturally pose substantial challenges for the development of agriculture. Inadequate water supply for crops leads to reduced yields and deterioration in crop quality. Therefore, the widespread implementation of water-saving technologies in agricultural production and the use of modern agro-technologies that enhance land and water resource efficiency have become critical and urgent needs of our time. Among such technologies, the use of polymer hydrogels in irrigated lands stands out as an effective method. Noteworthy are the scientific investigations of M.Kh. Khamidov, A.T. Salokhiddinov, N.B. Egamberdiyev, and others, who studied the impact of hydrogels on water savings when growing cotton and other associated crops. Their findings revealed that in both hydromorphic and automorphic soils, applying hydrogel allowed a 1,25–1,3 times reduction in irrigation water consumption, a decrease of one irrigation event, and up to 10% increase in yield. Hydrogel is a super-absorbent polymer capable of absorbing large amounts of water and gradually releasing it into the surrounding soil environment when needed. It helps retain moisture in the soil over extended periods. Experts note that 10 grams of hydrogel can retain 2.5 to 4 liters of water, and when used correctly, it can save 20–40% of irrigation water. 116 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference Considering these facts and the adverse effects of current trends, we undertook research under hydromorphic and meadow sierozem soils with medium to heavy loam texture, aiming to preserve soil productivity, improve meliorative conditions, and enhance the efficient use of water resources. At the same time, our goal was to support the economic sustainability of farming households through the application of hydrogel-ba