Lignin-Based Hydrogels for Sustainable Agriculture: Extraction, Design, and Applications

Abstract

Synthetic polymers are widespread in modern life and pose growing environmental problems, especially in agriculture, where water management and soil health are crucial. Eco-friendly materials that balance performance and environmental safety are desperately needed as sustainable alternatives remain understudied. This study emphasizes the potential of lignin, a naturally occurring, abundant, and underutilized biopolymer, and its conversion into lignin-based hydrogels. Lignin hydrogels offer distinct benefits for agricultural applications due to their inherent antibacterial, biodegradable, and biocompatible properties. Their ability to swell improves soil water retention, promotes plant development in drought-prone areas, and permits regulated release of fertilizer. Lignin-based hydrogels can promote sustainable agricultural methods and lessen the dependency on synthetic polymers by customizing these characteristics. This study points to potential advances in green polymer technology by highlighting their capacity to bridge the gap between environmental stewardship and agricultural production.