Tursynova Bagila, Zharkynbek Tolganay, Mangazbayeva Rauash, Mukhamadiyev Nurzhan, Koizhaiganova Raushan, Mengdibayeva Gulnaz, Ten Assel, Yermukhambetova Bayana, Mun Grigoriy, Yu Valentina
Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Medicinal Compounds Chemistry, A.B. Bekturov Institute of Chemical Sciences, 106 Sh. Ualikhanov St., Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan.
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71/23 Al-Farabi Ave., Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan.
Polymers (Basel). 2025 May 14;17(10):1330. doi: 10.3390/polym17101330.
Drought is a major environmental constraint that negatively affects crop germination, seedling establishment, and overall yield. This study presents a sustainable approach to improving wheat productivity under water-deficit conditions through the application of a gellan gum-based hydrogel enriched with the growth stimulant. The hydrogel was synthesized by inducing ionic gelation of gellan gum using potassium chloride and ammonium sulfate, forming a robust, cross-linked polymer network. Wheat seeds were coated with one to eight layers of the hydrogel using a sequential dipping and drying process. Optimal seedling performance was achieved with a two-layer coating, balancing sufficient water retention with adequate gas exchange. FTIR spectroscopy and pH analysis confirmed ionic interactions between Kaz-6 and the carboxyl groups of gellan, supporting its stable incorporation within the polymer matrix. Mechanical characterization showed that ammonium sulfate significantly enhanced gel strength and cross-linking density compared to potassium chloride. Laboratory germination assays and greenhouse trials demonstrated that seeds coated with gellan hydrogel containing Kaz-6 showed enhanced germination rates, greater biomass accumulation, and significantly improved drought tolerance-surviving up to 10 days longer than controls under water-limited conditions. These findings highlight the potential of biopolymer-based hydrogels as eco-friendly seed coating materials that can improve crop resilience and productivity in arid environments. The proposed formulation aligns with sustainable agriculture goals and represents a promising direction for future field-scale applications in climate-adaptive farming systems.
干旱是一种主要的环境限制因素，会对作物发芽、幼苗定植和总体产量产生负面影响。本研究提出了一种可持续方法，通过应用富含生长刺激剂的结冷胶基水凝胶来提高缺水条件下小麦的生产力。该水凝胶通过使用氯化钾和硫酸铵诱导结冷胶的离子凝胶化合成，形成了一个坚固的交联聚合物网络。采用连续浸渍和干燥工艺，用一到八层水凝胶包裹小麦种子。两层涂层实现了最佳的幼苗性能，在保持足够水分的同时实现了充分的气体交换。傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）和pH分析证实了Kaz-6与结冷胶羧基之间的离子相互作用，支持其在聚合物基质中的稳定掺入。力学表征表明，与氯化钾相比，硫酸铵显著提高了凝胶强度和交联密度。实验室发芽试验和温室试验表明，用含有Kaz-6的结冷胶水凝胶包裹的种子发芽率提高、生物量积累增加，耐旱性显著提高，在水分受限条件下比对照多存活长达10天。这些发现突出了基于生物聚合物的水凝胶作为生态友好型种子包衣材料的潜力，这种材料可以提高干旱环境中作物的恢复力和生产力。所提出的配方符合可持续农业目标，代表了气候适应型耕作系统未来田间规模应用中的一个有前景的方向。
