Carboxy Methyl Cellulose is commonly used as a water retention aid, and is generally regarded as less of a risk than acrylate copolymers because Methyl Cellulose in various forms is non-toxic.
Methyl Cellulose is used as a thickener in a huge range of food products and is also used to make pharmaceutical and cosmetic gels.
The concept of water retention in soil (or sand) is not new, but the Chinese researchers have applied it on a large scale.
It should be remembered that sand usually has almost nil plant nutritional value and must have fertilizer added in order to grow plants. Growing plants in sand is quite possible without the addition of gel forming products provided you add fertilizer and have access to sufficient water.
The big benefit of adding the Methyl Cellulose is that the water will filter through the sand at a much slower rate as the gel structure is tapped by the roots, keeping it available near the root system.
Walter
Methyl Cellulose is used as a thickener in a huge range of food products and is also used to make pharmaceutical and cosmetic gels.
The concept of water retention in soil (or sand) is not new, but the Chinese researchers have applied it on a large scale.
It should be remembered that sand usually has almost nil plant nutritional value and must have fertilizer added in order to grow plants. Growing plants in sand is quite possible without the addition of gel forming products provided you add fertilizer and have access to sufficient water.
The big benefit of adding the Methyl Cellulose is that the water will filter through the sand at a much slower rate as the gel structure is tapped by the roots, keeping it available near the root system.
Walter
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