Uso de hidrogel na cultura da soja cultivada em solos hidromórficos

Abstract

Hydroabsorbent polymers or hydrogels are granules that, when in contact with water or moisture, expand and transform into gel particles that can retain water. Therefore, their use in agriculture has been motivated to assist in water storage for crops without causing harm to the environment. Due to these characteristics, their use has been growing in soybean cultivation, aiming to reduce root desiccation during periods of rainfall scarcity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of hydrogel use on soybean cultivation in hydromorphic soils. The experiment was sown on 11/17/22 and harvested on 04/11/23, in the experimental area of UNIPAMPA - Campus Itaqui/RS. The soybean cultivar DM 66i68 IPRO was used, and crop management followed technical recommendations for the region. The experiment followed a randomized block design (RBD) with 3 blocks and 6 treatments. The experimental unit consisted of 6 m². Treatments were determined by doses of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 kg ha-¹ of hydrogel applied in the sowing furrow. The commercial hydrogel product "Hydroplan-EB/HyC®" was used. Evaluations were carried out for yield, mass of one thousand grains, number of pods with 1, 2, and 3 grains, plant height, number of pods per plant, and number of grains per pod. For the variables of productivity, plant height, number of pods per plant, and grains per pod, there was a positive linear response to the increasing doses. Thus, with 40 and 80 kg ha-¹ of hydrogel, for example, grain yields of 1,735 and 1,977 kg ha-¹ were obtained, respectively. For the variable mass of one thousand grains, the maximum technical efficiency was achieved with 58 kg ha-¹ of hydrogel. There was no statistical significance for the number of pods with 1 and 3 grains. A positive linear response of the main soybean productivity components was observed; therefore, under the experimental conditions, the application of 80 kg ha-¹ of hydrogel is recommended.