A novel interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) has been synthesized through enzymatic initiation
using lipase as initiator, glutaraldehyde as cross-linker, acrylic acid as primary monomer and acrylamide
as secondary monomer. Biodegradability of synthesized interpenetrating polymer network was studied
through soil burial and composting methods. Synthesized hydrogel was completely degraded within
70 days using composting method, while it was 86.03% degraded within 77 days using soil burial method.
This was confirmed by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) techniques. Synthesized interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel was used as a device for
controlled release of urea and also act as water releasing device. Their impact on soil fertility and plant
growth was also studied. The initial diffusion coefficient has a greater value than the later diffusion
coefficient indicating a higher fertilizer release rate during the early stage. Fertilizer release kinetic was
also studied which showed Non-Fickian diffusion behavior, as the rate of fertilizer release was
comparable to the relaxation time of the synthesized matrix. Synthesized IPN enhance the water uptake
capacity up to 6.2% and 7.2% in sandy loam and clay soil, respectively