Drought is a major environmental constraint that negatively affects crop germination, seedling establishment, and overall yield. This study presents a sustainable approach to improving wheat productivity under water-deficit conditions through the application of a gellan gum-based hydrogel enriched with the growth stimulant. The hydrogel was synthesized by inducing ionic gelation of gellan gum using potassium chloride and ammonium sulfate, forming a robust, cross-linked polymer network. Wheat seeds were coated with one to eight layers of the hydrogel using a sequential dipping and drying process. Optimal seedling performance was achieved with a two-layer coating, balancing sufficient water retention with adequate gas exchange. FTIR spectroscopy and pH analysis confirmed ionic interactions between Kaz-6 and the carboxyl groups of gellan, supporting its stable incorporation within the polymer matrix. Mechanical characterization showed that ammonium sulfate significantly enhanced gel strength and cross-linking density compared to potassium chloride. Laboratory germination assays and greenhouse trials demonstrated that seeds coated with gellan hydrogel containing Kaz-6 showed enhanced germination rates, greater biomass accumulation, and significantly improved drought tolerance—surviving up to 10 days longer than controls under water-limited conditions. These findings highlight the potential of biopolymer-based hydrogels as eco-friendly seed coating materials that can improve crop resilience and productivity in arid environments. The proposed formulation aligns with sustainable agriculture goals and represents a promising direction for future field-scale applications in climate-adaptive farming systems.

Although chitosan (CS) is used in many industries because of its low cost, biodegradability, nontoxic, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities, it lacks sufficient mechanical and barrier properties. Biodegradable polymers based on CS, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and starch (S) were prepared at various ratios (1/3/6 and 1/5/4) via a blending polymerization process in the presence of water as the solvent and glacial acetic acid as the catalyst. The obtained biodegradable polymers were characterized via FTIR, TGA, SEM, and mechanical tests. The biodegradable polymers were mixed with rice straw and carbon black to study the effects of rice straw and carbon black on the physicomechanical properties of the biodegradable polymer films, including viscosity, tensile strength, elongation, and contact angle. The incorporation of rice straw and carbon black into a polymer blend significantly enhanced the physical and mechanical properties while also boosting their biodegradability by 36% and 15%, respectively, due to their biological activity. Notably, the CS/PVA/S blend with a ratio of 1/5/4, combined with rice straw, emerged as the standout performer. It exhibited superior mechanical strength and the shortest degradation time, outperforming the CS/PVA/S blended with a ratio of 1/3/6 mixed with carbon black. According to these findings, the biodegradable polymers became more soluble as the temperature increased from 30 to 45 °C.

Utilizing turbidimetry data, an examination is conducted on the behavior of solutions containing N-vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl propyl ether copolymer within a temperature range coinciding with the occurrence of a phase transition. The investigation reveals that within specific conditions prevailing in this domain, the emergence of entities denoted as hydrophobic–hydrophilic associates is conceivable. These entities are characterized by the presence of a relatively dense core, upheld by hydrophobic interplays, and they are proficient in effectively dispersing irradiation within the optical spectrum. Encircling this core is a hydrophilic periphery that impedes the formation of insoluble precipitates. The development of such associates transpires when hydrophobic interactions have attained a discernible prominence, although they remain inadequate to counteract the forces that drive the expansion of macromolecular coils. Under these circumstances, the energetically favored course of action entails the constitution of a core for the aforementioned associates, involving discrete segments from diverse macromolecules. Notably, the introduction of an additional constituent (ethanol) to the solution, which selectively mitigates hydrophobic interactions, serves to stabilize the hydrophobic–hydrophilic associations.

A new approach to ensuring information security is proposed for using in the zone of direct radio visibility. The approach is based on a direct analogy between radio and optical radiation. In the latter case, information protection can be ensured by identifying the point or direction from which the signal comes; all other light sources are cut off by the observer. It is shown that a similar method of information protection can also be implemented in the radio range, which corresponds to modern trends in the development of radio holography. The simplest scheme for detecting the direction to a transmitter, identified as “friend” is presented. Its operability is demonstrated by means of simulation modeling. Ways for the further development of this approach are determined, based on the fact that modern technologies make it possible to implement distributed reception of a radio signal (to use a relatively large number of receivers), which makes it possible to implement direct analogues of such optical elements as a lens, holograms.