Evaluation of Hydrogels in Improving Soil-Water Retention, Plant Survival and Climate Adaptation Strategies in Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

Water scarcity and land degradation pose significant challenges in ASALs, exacerbating food insecurity and ecosystem vulnerability. Hence the objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of hydrogels (synthetic superabsorbent polymers) in improving soil-water retention and plant survival (M. volkensii), aligning with SDGs 6 and 15 and climate adaptation strategies conducted in Kitui County, Kenya using appropriate standard techniques. Results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in soil moisture retention (mean difference of 2.00, p < 0.001) and improved seedling survival (p < 0.05), highlighting hydrogel’s role in enhancing plant resilience under water-scarce conditions. From implication of soil-water retention improvement findings, hydrogels are noted to mitigate nutrient leaching, reduce irrigation needs, and improve soil structure to address challenges like high evapotranspiration and degraded soils. However, scalability and cost remain barriers, with bio-based hydrogels emerging as viable alternatives. This research highlights hydrogel’s potential to support climate adaptation, reforestation of degraded lands, and LDN, and thus complementing global frameworks like the Kyoto Protocol and Kenya’s NCCAP. Recommendations include integrating hydrogels with sustainable practices, such as agroforestry, and advancing research on cost-effective, eco-friendly formulations. Overall, this study contributes to knowledge by demonstrating hydrogels’ transformative capacity for sustainable agriculture in ASALs to enable resilience against climate variability and water scarcity.