Effect of Native Cassava Starch-Poly (Sodium Acrylate-co-Acrylamide) Hydrogel on the Growth Performance of Maize (Zea may) Seedlings

The physical mixture of native cassava starch and PAN was hydrolyzed by NaOH solution to yield starch-poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) superabsorbent hydrogel. The agricultural performance of the hydrogel – soil mixture samples in which maize seedlings have been planted were measured as a function of hydrogel loading and compared with the values obtained in the control in which hydrogel was not added. The results of the soil-hydrogel analysis at a monthly interval showed that there was significant increase in the ability of the soil to retain moisture and also the increase in the growth performance of the maize seedlings compared to the control.