What Is Agriculture Grade SAP (Ag-sap)?
SAP is widely used in every aspects of our life. And different uses, different SAP types to choose.
Some differences between plant type, diaper type and cable type SAP for your reference:
| Types of SAP | Use | Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Type for plants | to retaining water | As a water-retaining agent, it will absorb & release water in the soil last for months (Pack Rain will last for years) and won’t be decomposed. |
| Type for diapers | to absorb urine | As a water-absorbing material, its water gel will never release water until decomposed in few weeks. |
So, the agriculture grade SAP should has these important points:
It should absorb and contain water in soil;
It should release water back to plants when it’s drought;
After releasing water, it should absorb water again.
How does SAP help the plants?
Absorb & store water when it’s raining;
Release water to plants when it’s drought.
Further, agriculture grade SAP play an important role in:
water side, it can absorb and store water for plants – like a mini-reservoir.
soil side, it can
- improve the retention of soil and water;
- keep the soil warm (as water’s high heat capacity);
- loosen the soil (ag-sap’s going to swell while absorbing).
fertilizer side, it
- contains potassium;
- can release the fertilizer efficiency slowly.
But, it seems not easy to purchase a reliable Ag-sap.
To clearly know Ag-sap, here’s the list of all types you can find in marketing.
| Types | Class/Brand | Main ingredient | Basic retaining function | Effective period | Harmful substance |
| industrial grade sap | fake ag-sap | sodium polyacrylate | no (no releasing water) | ≤ 1 week | acrylamide |
| agriculture grade SAP | low-quality ag-sap | sodium polyacrylate | yes | 1-3 months | acrylamide |
| agriculture grade SAP | common quality ag-sap | potassium polyacrylate | yes | 1-3 months | acrylamide |
| agriculture grade SAP | common quality ag-sap | potassium polyacrylate | yes | ≤ 1 month | none |
| agriculture grade SAP | PackRain (high quality) | potassium polyacrylate | yes | 3-5 years | none |
Tips:
- Profiteers sell fake Ag-sap cause the low price;
- About “the main ingredient”, sodium polyacrylate will cause soil salinization (potassium polyacrylate won’t);
- “Basic retaining function” means water retaining & releasing ability;
- Effective period means how long is the Ag-sap working in soil;
- Acrylamide. It’s a kind of cancerogenic substance.