APPLICATION OF HYDROGELS AS AN ELEMENT OF WATER-SAVING TECHNOLOGY UNDER ARID STEPPE CONDITIONS: AN ANALYTICAL REVIEW OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH

Abstract

The water factor is a determining element of the sustainability and productivity of agroecosystems in arid and semi-arid steppe regions, where moisture deficit acts as the main limiting factor for the development of agricultural crops. Intensification of climatic aridization, an increase in mean annual air temperatures, and a longer duration of drought periods significantly reduce the efficiency of traditional farming systems and exacerbate the problem of soil moisture conservation. Under these conditions, the application of superabsorbent polymers (hydrogels), capable of accumulating large volumes of water and gradually releasing it into the root zone of the soil, is of particular scientific and practical interest.

            This review and analytical paper presents a comparative analysis of recent domestic and international scientific publications from 2015–2025 devoted to the use of hydrogels under arid steppe conditions. The mechanisms of their action and their effects on soil water retention capacity, physical and hydrological soil properties, plant physiological status, and crop yields are examined. It is shown that the application of hydrogels can increase the content of available soil moisture by 15–40% and improve crop yields by 10–30% in dry years compared with control treatments. The effectiveness of hydrogels is compared with traditional water-saving agronomic practices, such as mulching and minimum tillage. The limitations of this technology, including economic and environmental aspects, are highlighted. The feasibility of an integrated approach and the need for further research considering regional soil and climatic conditions are substantiated.