By Blake Jackson
As drought and limited water resources challenge agriculture in many regions, scientists are turning to the ocean for new solutions. A research team at New Mexico State University is studying AquaSteady, a natural hydrogel made from alginate extracted from brown seaweeds.
The project is part of a national effort led by the Pratt Institute and funded through a $5 million National Science Foundation grant. The goal is to create sustainable water-absorbent materials that help soil retain moisture and support crop growth during unpredictable rainfall.
AquaSteady can be sustainably produced while also helping remove excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from ocean environments. “The objective of our study is to utilize AquaSteady as a soil amendment to address the challenges of drought and excessive water,” Idowu said. “Hydrogels can capture water from rain or irrigation and release it during dry periods, thus making water available for plants.”
Researchers began testing powdered and granular forms of AquaSteady in early 2024 at the Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center. The project team includes agronomists, crop physiologists, and soil scientists who first evaluated the hydrogel in controlled laboratory conditions. These tests helped identify the best application rates before moving to greenhouse and field trials.
Initial laboratory results showed that AquaSteady can significantly increase soil water-holding capacity and reduce irrigation needs. Researchers also observed strong improvements in soil health, including higher microorganism populations and an increase in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, both of which support soil structure and nutrient availability.
To understand how the hydrogel performs under real irrigation conditions, a postdoctoral researcher conducted additional testing on repeated drying and wetting cycles. The team also studied AquaSteady’s effects on crop root development and plant growth, including a greenhouse experiment involving bell peppers.
Collaborators across the United States—including seaweed farmers and research institutions—are helping expand the project’s reach. Continued testing will explore how the hydrogel performs in different climates and soils.
“AquaSteady may be able to deliver dual benefits for crop production in New Mexico,” Idowu said. “Apart from its potential to improve soil water retention, it could also increase microbial activity in the soil, leading to better soil health in agricultural fields.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-neenawat555
Categories: New York, Education, Weather