Radiation induced crosslinking of polyacrylamide incorporated low molecular weights natural polymers for possible use in the agricultural applications

•Hydrogels from PAAm and Alg or CS were synthesized by γ-rays.•Water absorbency of PAAm/Alg>PAAm/Alg/CS>PAAm/CS hydrogels.•The presence of polysaccharides improves water retention capability.•Plants treated by PAAm/Alg hydrogels showed 50% increase in the grain yield.•The prepared hydrogels can be use as a soil conditioner for plant-soil system. Superabsorbent hydrogels based on polyacrylamide (PAAm) and Na-alginate (Alg) or chitosan (CS) were synthesized by γ-rays. The effect of dose and copolymer composition on gel content and water absorbency of PAAm/Alg, PAAm/CS and PAAm/Alg/CS hydrogels were studied. The gel content and water absorbency follows the order PAAm/Alg>PAAm/Alg/CS>PAAm/CS. The effect of different cations, fertilizers, buffers on water absorbency of the hydrogels was investigated. Water retention capability of swollen hydrogels as a function of time was studied. PAAm/Alg hydrogel has a high water retention capability. An application of the prepared hydrogels in agricultural fields was performed using maize plants. The results showed that the presence of hydrogels had growth promotion effect on quality and quantity of maize plants. The plants treated by PAAm/Alg hydrogels showed 50% increase in the grain yield suggesting their possible use as a soil conditioner and a water reservoir for plant-soil system.