Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy

Nurlibai Manabaev; Shamshaddin Yussupov; Abdugani Azimov; Zaure Ibragimova; Altynbek Userov; Bekzat Kultassov; Rustam Manabaev; Zhanat Suleimenova

doi:10.18393/ejss.1814298

Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy

Abstract

Arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Central Asia, face escalating food security challenges due to climate change and chronic drought, demanding innovative soil moisture management strategies for staple crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study introduces and validates an innovative agro-technological system that moves beyond conventional, high-consumption superabsorbent polymer (hydrogel) use to establish a highly resource-efficient and sustainable approach for dryland wheat cultivation. A split-plot field experiment was conducted across three distinct agroclimatic zones in the Turkestan Region of Kazakhstan (Kazygurt, Sairam, and the extremely arid Arys district). Eight treatments were evaluated, focusing on varying hydrogel dosages and localized co-application with reduced phosphorus and potassium (P/K) fertilizers. A novel patented slit-cutting unit was employed for the precise subsurface placement of the hydrogel–fertilizer mixture at a depth of 20 cm. Complementary laboratory experiments provided the mechanistic foundation, evaluating water absorption, retention, and vertical redistribution in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers. The hydrogel mixture increased total soil water retention by 14.3 %, while enhancing subsoil (20–40 cm) moisture content by 9.0 percentage points, confirming its function as an in-situ water reservoir. Field results identified Treatment 5 (Localized 30 kg ha⁻¹ hydrogel + 50 % P/K) as the optimal configuration, producing stable and significant wheat yield increases of 23.32–27.05 % across all sites compared with the control. Importantly, this precision-based method achieved 50 % fertilizer savings and 57 % reduction in hydrogel use compared to conventional broadcast application, achieving both economic efficiency and ecological sustainability. Overall, the localized subsurface co-application system establishes a new benchmark for dryland agriculture, offering a climate-resilient, input-efficient, and scalable technological platform for enhancing water use efficiency and sustaining food production under water-limited conditions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan under Program BR21882218

Thanks

This study was made possible through the financial support of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan under Program BR21882218. The authors express their sincere appreciation to the external collaborators and institutional partners whose expertise and assistance were instrumental to the success of this research. Special thanks are extended to Mr. M.P. Zhazykhbaev of RSE “Kazhydromet” for providing comprehensive agroclimatic data, and to Mr. M.M. Atyomov of LLP “Republican Soil Center” for conducting the detailed agrochemical soil fertility analyses. We are also deeply grateful to the farm heads — Ms. M.K. Aytubaeva (Farm “Aytubay”), Mr. T.E. Baibolov (PC “Elubay-Kuat”), and Mr. S.T. Shyrynkulov (Samat-TS LLP) — for their invaluable cooperation and technical support during the field trials assessing the hydrogel mixture and its effects on grain crop growth and productivity.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nurlibai Manabaev This is me
0009-0008-4851-5990
Kazakhstan

Shamshaddin Yussupov This is me
0009-0003-8187-9247
Kazakhstan

Abdugani Azimov ^* This is me
0000-0002-1316-5854
Kazakhstan

Zaure Ibragimova This is me
0000-0002-7176-8186
Kazakhstan

Altynbek Userov This is me
0009-0003-1275-1290
Kazakhstan

Bekzat Kultassov This is me
0000-0002-4682-553X
Kazakhstan

Rustam Manabaev This is me
0009-0007-9080-0595
Kazakhstan

Zhanat Suleimenova This is me
0000-0001-5860-7655
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

January 2, 2026

Submission Date

April 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1814298

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA23BM67YN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Manabaev, N., Yussupov, S., Azimov, A., Ibragimova, Z., Userov, A., Kultassov, B., Manabaev, R., & Suleimenova, Z. (2026). Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1814298

AMA

1.Manabaev N, Yussupov S, Azimov A, et al. Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy. EJSS. 2026;15(1):1-13. doi:10.18393/ejss.1814298

Chicago

Manabaev, Nurlibai, Shamshaddin Yussupov, Abdugani Azimov, et al. 2026. “Localized Hydrogel Co-Application Improves Water Use Efficiency and Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Yield in Arid Agroecosystems: A Resource-Optimized Strategy”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (1): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1814298.

EndNote

Manabaev N, Yussupov S, Azimov A, Ibragimova Z, Userov A, Kultassov B, Manabaev R, Suleimenova Z (January 1, 2026) Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 1 1–13.

IEEE

[1]N. Manabaev et al., “Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 1–13, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1814298.

ISNAD

Manabaev, Nurlibai - Yussupov, Shamshaddin - Azimov, Abdugani - Ibragimova, Zaure - Userov, Altynbek - Kultassov, Bekzat - Manabaev, Rustam - Suleimenova, Zhanat. “Localized Hydrogel Co-Application Improves Water Use Efficiency and Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Yield in Arid Agroecosystems: A Resource-Optimized Strategy”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/1 (January 1, 2026): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1814298.

JAMA

1.Manabaev N, Yussupov S, Azimov A, Ibragimova Z, Userov A, Kultassov B, Manabaev R, Suleimenova Z. Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy. EJSS. 2026;15:1–13.

MLA

Manabaev, Nurlibai, et al. “Localized Hydrogel Co-Application Improves Water Use Efficiency and Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Yield in Arid Agroecosystems: A Resource-Optimized Strategy”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 1-13, doi:10.18393/ejss.1814298.

Vancouver

1.Nurlibai Manabaev, Shamshaddin Yussupov, Abdugani Azimov, Zaure Ibragimova, Altynbek Userov, Bekzat Kultassov, Rustam Manabaev, Zhanat Suleimenova. Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategy. EJSS. 2026 Jan. 1;15(1):1-13. doi:10.18393/ejss.1814298

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