Jinwen Zhang is looking for Pacific Northwest farmer collaborators who would like to help him test his water-saving gel in their field.

"Right now, we're testing the product in California, where drought is a large issue," he says. "I'd like to

study it in our region as well," says the Washington State University associate professor.

What Zhang is a soy-protein based gel that retains water not unlike material used commercially in diapers. He claims the biodegradable form he is studying will store water at root levels and stop fast moisture evaporation following irrigation which occurs at a fast pace during drought conditions.

This biodegradable hydrogel is a super-absorbing soil product that a Washington State University researcher says can save drought-stricken farmers moisture and dollars.

The gel can absorb 250 times its weight in water, says the WSU School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering researcher.

He has developed a modified gel using soy protein which not only enhance its absorbing characteristics, and is biodegradable, but also which may render some nitrogen into the soil. After the gel underground, there is no residue left in the soil, says Zhang.

"This is an environmentally-safe product which preserves water in the soil and which can help growers save money in the process," he adds. He has applied for a patent on the material and is working with a California firm called mOasis, Inc., for testing. The firm produces other agricultural hydrogels.

Other hydrogels are used as hygienic products and as biomedicine, but most are petroleum-based, unlike Zhang's material.

The agricultural gel study is nothing new, he explains. "Companies have studied hydrogel potential for helping drought-affected farmers for decades, eager to develop pellets that could help soil better retain moisture or deliver liquid pesticides and herbicides for controlled application.

"Everything is in the testing stage," he notes. "I have been evaluating the gels for three years this season, and I believe we have something with very important value for agriculture."

If you're interested in learning more about the gel, or want to collaborate with Zhang in field research, he may be reached at his Pullman, Wash., office phone at (509) 335-8723, or emailed at [email protected].