QU showcases key research at AgriteQ, EnviroteQ

QU showcases key research at AgriteQ, EnviroteQ

Qatar University (QU) showcased its key research supporting food and water security projects at the 9th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) and 3rd Qatar International Environmental Exhibition (EnviroteQ), which concluded on Monday.

In a statement Tuesday, QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham said that the participation in the exhibitions stems from its position as a national educational and research institution that aims to use its research and studies to benefit various sectors in the country, including the agricultural sector, which is a major pillar of food security.

The gel is placed inside the soil in the form of a homogeneous layer with a thickness of some millimeters close to the roots of the plant

A highlight of the QU's Agricultural Research pavilion was the innovation of a new gel that supports cultivation in dry and harsh climates.

The environment-friendly material was created by a team of researchers led by QU civil engineering professor Dr Alaa Hamdan al-Hauri.

The aim of the new technology is to promote organic farming through optimum utilisation of limited fresh water resources by preventing evaporation loss.

"So, we increased the water stability in the soil by developing a gel material to serve as a nursery soil for plants inside greenhouses," Dr al-Hauri