COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF VARIOUS SUPERABSORBENT POLYMERS (SAPs) IN ENHANCING SOIL MOISTURE RETENTION AND PLANT GROWTH

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are practical in agriculture since they improve soil health and water retention, especially in areas with limited water resources. However, most commercial SAPs are non-biodegradable and raise environmental concerns, makingshrimp (Caridea)shell waste and potato (Solanum tuberosum) peels ideal materials for developing organic SAPs. Methodology: A quantitative experimental research design was employed to compare the efficacy of biodegradable superabsorbent polymers. This study adopts this method as it provides a systematic framework for testing the effectiveness of the organic SAPs. Results: Setup C, treated with mixed SAP, experienced the least water loss, while the controlled group underwent the most when compared by weight. All SAP-treated plants only lost 20-40% of their moisture after 24 hours, with the least retention in the control group, which lost half. Setup C showed the best overall growth among the SAP-treated plants, including height difference, leaf count, flower development, and fruit yield. The treated plants displayed healthy overall plant health, while the control group lacked in aspects of color, leaf size, and stem condition. Discussion: The incorporation of SAPs reduced water loss and retained moisture within the soil of the treated plants. An increase in all aspects of plant growth was observed, especially in the mixed SAP set-up. Visually, the plants exhibited healthy features, from their leaf color to growth uniformity. Conclusion: Shrimp shell waste and potato peel-based SAPs effectively conserve water moisture and improve plant health to promote further growth.