Testing a UK-developed soil amendment to improve yield and quality of veg and salad crops on sandy soils

Maximising soil water holding capacity is important when growing high-value horticultural crops which are sensitive to water stress. Improving water retention increases the resilience of the system, reduces expenditure on water and mitigates constraints on abstraction and reservoir capacity. 

Aquagrain is an organic-based, hydrogel that supports water retention lighter soils. Developed and produced in the UK, it has been trialled succesfully in Spain, Nigeria, the Middle East as well as the UK.

Aquagrain is producted using organic waste from livestock and fisheries. It absorbs up to 30 times its mass in liquid; slowly releasing moisture and nutrients to support crop development. 

Trial activities

Each trial will include four treatments: ​

• Standard irrigation + No Aquagrain (control) ​
• Standard irrigation + Aquagrain ​
• Modest irrigation (≈25 % less water applied) + No Aquagrain ​
• Modest irrigation + Aquagrain 

In year one, the trials will take place in baby leaf spinach and transplanted lettuce crops. Year 2 will measure the residual effect in following crops of onions and maize.