KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA

PATTOM, IInd SHIFT

2019-20

Submitted by,
Name: Joel Rick Johnson
Roll no :12209
 KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA, PATTOM
(SHIFT II),
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this is the bona-fide record of the project submitted by

Master Joel Rick Johnson, Roll no. 12209. Studying in class XII B for completing the

investigatory project of CBSE board examination of BIOLOGY for the year 2019-

2020 under the guidance and supervision of his Biology teacher Mrs. Chandrika.

Teacher – in – charge Principal

Internal Examiner External Examiner

 BIOLOGY
Investigatory Project:
Comparison of
Seed Growth in

Hydrogel Soil
And Normal Soil

Acknowledgement
I would like to express my gratitude to the people who
have helped and supported me throughout my project.
I am grateful to my biology teacher
for giving me this opportunity and her continuous
support and guidance which lead to the completion of
my project.
A special thanks to my friends who helped me with my
work.
I wish to thank my parents for their undying support
and encouragement which inspired me in my own way,
without whom I could not have completed my project.
At last but not the least I would like to thank God
Almighty who made all the things possible!!!
Joel Rick Johnson

Index
 AIM
 INTRODUCTION
 REQUIREMENTS
 METHODOLOGY
 OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS
 CONCLUSIONS
 PHOTO GALLERY
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Aim
To study the comparison of seed growth in hydrogel soil
and normal soil.
 Introduction
Hydrogel is basically a water absorbing polymer, which are
classified as cross-linked, absorb aqueous solutions through
hydrogen bonding with water molecules. Agricultural hydrogels
are referred to as water retention granules because they swell
to many times their original size when they come in contact
with water. It has been widely proposed over the last 40 years
for agricultural use with the aim to ameliorate water
availability for plants, by increasing water holding properties of
growing media (soils or soilless substrates).
Most of the area of India is in arid and semiarid regions, more
efficient use of water is essential in the field of agriculture.
Implementing proper management practices in agriculture to
maintain soil moisture and increase water holding capacity is
considered as one of the ways to save water. Super absorbent
polymers (SAPs) hydrogel can swell to absorb huge volume of
water or aqueous solution. This property has led to many
practical applications of these new materials particularly in
agriculture for improving water retention of soils and the water
supply of plants. The relative effectiveness of the hydrogels
depends upon chemical properties of the hydrogel, such as
molecular weight, and the hydrogel properties tend to have
differing effects on various soil properties.

requirements
 Two plastic pots
 1/4 g of wheat seeds
 Hydrogel.
 Methodology
Hydrogel Soil
1. Take a large mixing bowl.
2. Add equal parts of soil and gel.
3. Then mix them together until they are thoroughly
mixed. Now, we get a super-absorbent soil.
Experiment
1. Take the two plastic pots.
2. Fill one with normal soil and the other with hydrogel
soil.
3. Sprinkle the wheat seeds on top of both the pots.
4. Add a bit of water on both the pots.
5. Sprinkle water every day in normal soil.
The experiment was conducted in normal environmental
conditions.
 Observations and Findings
In the first week,
Maximum height of plant growth in normal soil= 5cm
Maximum height of plant growth in hydrogel soil= 8cm
In the third week,
Maximum height of plant growth in normal soil= 17cm
Maximum height of plant growth in hydrogel soil= 20cm

(The values reported are approximate.)

 Conclusions

Benefits of hydrogel
1. Increases water retention in the soil.
2. Specifically retains water in the required layer.

3. Reduces the frequency of watering required.

4. Reduces leaching of nutrients.

5. Cares about the growth of certain plants and trees.

6. Reduces the cost of irrigation.

7. Allows the growth of seedlings in extremely dry areas.

8. Maintain the necessary moisture in the indoor cultivation.

9. Nourishes well below freezing.

10. Fulfils the function for 5-7 years.

 Photo Gallery
Ist week

Normal Soil Hydrogel Soil

IIIrd week

Normal Soil Hydrogel Soil

 Bibliography

Books
1. Hydrogel: Recent Advances
Authors: Vijay Kumar Thakur and Manju Kumari
Thakur
Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore
2. Nanotechnologies in Food and Agricultures
Author: Mahendra Rai

Websites
1. www.youtube.com
2. www.wikipedia.com
3. www.hydrogelagriculture.com