 |
| Production of Water-Absorbing Gel Using Radiation Technology (Photo: Q.Thanh) |
The Radiation Technology Research and Development Center (Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City) has announced that it has widely marketed a type of cassava starch material capable of absorbing and retaining water up to several hundred times its dry weight.
This material is known as water-absorbing gel. The main raw material for production is cassava starch, which is processed using gamma radiation from the SV-ST Co-60/B source (Hungary).
Mr. Doan Binh, a member of the research team, stated that this water-absorbing gel acts as a readily available water reserve for plants when needed, while also aiding in drought resistance during the dry season and conserving water.
According to Mr. Binh, due to the gel’s special structure, this product is characterized by its ability to retain and release water appropriately in soil environments, and it will biodegrade in the soil after nearly a year. He also suggested that farmers should apply the water-absorbing gel at the end of the rainy season to take advantage of the late-season rains to provide water to the gel pieces buried in the soil.
When there is an abundance of water, the gel pieces will “consume” a significant amount of water. This water will be retained within the gel pieces and, when conditions are suitable, it will be released slowly, helping to moisten the soil and provide just the right amount of water for crops.
GIANG HUONG
