An invention from Mexico could help ease drought challenges for many Spanish crops as water scarcity grows due to climate change. Farmers across the region face the need to stretch supplies and protect harvests, prompting creative solutions that use the same ground to absorb more water with less irrigation. The product Solid Rain appears to work as if it were powdered water, delivering moisture where it matters most.
But just ten grams of this polymer can absorb up to one liter of water. Mexican engineer Sergio Jesus Rico Velasco of the National Polytechnic Institute has developed a method to trap rainwater by transforming it into a solid form.
Solid Rain is a soluble, insoluble, non-toxic, potassium-based granular powder that expands upon contact with water and can absorb up to 400 times its weight in water for weeks, depending on soil type, water quality, climate, and plant needs. It is applied at the root and keeps the soil moist without constant irrigation or rainfall.
This material can be used for all kinds of plants, crops, trees, gardens, flower pots, hydroponics, and more. Vegetables will absorb moisture according to their needs, supporting stable, healthy growth, reducing irrigation frequency, and optimizing rainwater use, says Rico Velasco.
Solid Rain helps crops thrive in extreme climates, preserving water for extended periods. According to the company, water use in agriculture can be reduced by up to 90 percent through its use.
Lluviasolida also minimizes the significant economic burden of water for those who must buy it as a resource.
How does it work?
How does Solid Rain function? The polymer captures rainwater. The biodegradable potassium acrylate polymer is hydrated by rainfall and sold as a powder. It turns into a gel that can hold water for about 40 days.
This setup helps plants stay hydrated without waiting for rain or manual watering, improving growth and survivability in harsh conditions.
The usage is straightforward:
- It is buried in soil at the root zone. When it rains, it absorbs the water and transforms it into a solid form.
- As the plant uses water, moisture remains stored in this state and available on demand.
- When the polymer’s moisture is depleted, it reverts to its original state and waits for more rain to refresh the supply.
- The powder can sustain this cycle for eight to ten years.
According to Sergio Rico, only 25 kilograms of product are needed per hectare, potentially saving about 80 percent of production costs. It may also reduce the need for extensive hydraulic infrastructure since irrigation systems could be simplified.
The application is not limited to traditional crops; it extends to all kinds of gardening—green roofs, vertical gardens, flower pots, and even lawns.
All information about Solid Rain is available from the official source (marked citation: Lluviasolida website). [CITATION: Lluviasolida official site]
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Contact details for the environment department have been omitted in this version. [CITATION: Environmental department information]