Synopsis

Title:- Fighting Drought With Orange Peels

Focal Theme :- Science for Sustainable Living
Subtheme:- Appropriate Technology for sustainable living

Background
Dry weather conditions and lack rainfall introduction conservative technology of superabsorbent
polymers (SAPs) . SAPs have great water absorption capacity relative to its on weight which
improves soil moisture and hence reduces water stress on the plant during prolonged drought
stress condition and during irrigation intervals. This technology is rather uncommon to local
farmers due to various reasons, such as market availability and high retail cost. Most commercially
found SAPs used in agriculture are prepared from acrylic acid and cross –linked by solution or
suspension polymerization. However , post consequences of commercial SAP absorbed by the
root of the plant, ultimately penetrate into the roots of crops and may cause noxious effects on the
consumers.

Objective
To create a product that can improve soil quality, preserve water and resist drought therefore
producing a better environment for crops growth.

Hypothesis
The low cost , eco-friendly biodegradable SAPs could be as much effective as non-biodegradable
SAPs available in market

Methodology

Material required
Orange Peels, Lemon Slices, Water, Oven, Grinder
Experiment
Step 1 :Orange Peel Powder, Solution and Mixture is prepared by processing the orange peel
under the appropriate condition required. The avocado skin was the added to the orange skin and
left in sunlight for 14 days for polymerization.
Step 2 :Five planting containers were filled with 1kg of top soil. Each pot received a different sample.
Each samples was mixed with the soil and saturated with 100ml of water on day 0. no additional
watering was performed during the experimental period ,which lasted 21 days.
Step 3 :Calculated water retaintivity using Water Absorption Formula: (gs - gi)\gi) (gi – is
the weight of the swollen sample. And gs – is the initial weight or net weight of the
sample.)
Step 4 : Measured soil moisture using moisture meter and tabulated Mean values.
Step 5 : Plotted Data in graphical form for analysis and interpretation.
 Analysis
85 A graph showing
Water Absorption (g/g)

water Absorption Analysis

75 of Various Saps
65 Market Sap
74 77
55 63 Orange Peel Mixture
50 Orange Peel Powder
45
Market Orange orange Orange Orange Peel Solution
SAPs Peel Peel Peel
Mixture Powder Solution
Various SAPs
Graph Showing Water Absorption ability
10
A graph
showing the moisture
7.5 analysis of 20 days
Soil Moisture

2.5 MARKET SAP

0 ORANGE PEEL
0 4 8 12 16 20 MIXTURE
Time (Days) STANDARD

Graph Showing Soil Moisture retention

Conclusion : the ‘orange peel mixture’ displayed the strongest water absorbing abilities of
76.1 %. The SAP displayed a water absorbing ability of 74.7 % , ‘orange peel powder’ and
‘orange APs fell under 70 %. Orange Peel SAP is cheap, biodegradable, Non Polluting
alternative to artificial SAPs. Orange Peel is comparable to market SAPs in term of water
retaining capablities
Submitted By- Ayush Mishra & Sakshi Kashyap
Class-9th
Guide Teacher-Mr. Prateek Kumar
School- Kendriya Vidyalya Latehar