Khan et al. (2026) Hydrogel as innovative technology for moisture conservation in the Potohar Plateau of Pakistan

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Pure and Applied Agriculture
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-13
• Authors: Madeeha Khan, Riffat Bibi, Safia Noureen Malik, Obaid Ur Rehman, Abdul Latif, Marjan Aziz, Muhammad Arsalan, Azhar Mahmood Aulakh, Tajamul Hussain, Waqas Naseem, Sultan Ahmed Rizvi, Muhammad Yunas, Muhammad Danish Majeed, Rizwan Latif, Qudrat Ullah Khan, Sairah Syed
• DOI: None

Research Groups

• Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad
• National Institute for Water Management (NIWM), Islamabad
• Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD)

Short Summary

This review evaluates the potential of hydrogel technology to conserve soil moisture and enhance crop yields in the Potohar Plateau of Pakistan. The study reveals that hydrogel can increase crop yields by 20-30% while reducing irrigation rates.

Objective

• Investigate the effectiveness of hydrogel technology in conserving soil moisture and enhancing crop resilience in the Potohar Plateau of Pakistan.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Regional scale, focusing on the Potohar Plateau of Pakistan.
• Temporal Scale: Long-term (seasonal to annual) study period.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not applicable, as this is a review-based study.
• Data sources: Field research data, literature reviews, and existing studies on hydrogel technology in agriculture.

Main Results

• Hydrogel can increase crop yields by 20-30% while reducing irrigation rates.
• Biodegradable hydrogel alternatives made from natural polymers (starch, chitosan, cellulose) are critical for enhancing environmental sustainability.
• A multi-faceted approach is required to successfully implement hydrogel technology in the Potohar Plateau, including specific subsidies, education programs, and integration with other sustainable practices.

Contributions

This study contributes to existing literature by highlighting the potential of hydrogel technology to enhance crop resilience and water-use efficiency in water-prone areas like Pakistan. The review also emphasizes the need for biodegradable hydrogel alternatives and a multi-faceted approach to successful implementation.

Funding

• This research was funded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan under the project "Development of Climate Resilient Agriculture in Water Prone Areas of Pakistan".
• Additional funding support was provided by the National Institute for Water Management (NIWM), Islamabad.

Citation

@article{Khan2026Hydrogel,
  author = {Khan, Madeeha and Bibi, Riffat and Malik, Safia Noureen and Rehman, Obaid Ur and Latif, Abdul and Aziz, Marjan and Arsalan, Muhammad and Aulakh, Azhar Mahmood and Hussain, Tajamul and Naseem, Waqas and Rizvi, Sultan Ahmed and Yunas, Muhammad and Majeed, Muhammad Danish and Latif, Rizwan and Khan, Qudrat Ullah and Syed, Sairah},
  title = {Hydrogel as innovative technology for moisture conservation in the Potohar Plateau of Pakistan},
  journal = {Journal of Pure and Applied Agriculture},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://openalex.org/W7220518761}
}