Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Water scarcity and climate variability present significant challenges to paddy rice production in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the efficacy of a biodegradable hydrogel derived from cassava peels as a soil conditioner to improve rice growth, water use efficiency (WUE), and grain yield. A field experiment was conducted at the Ruwhiti Irrigation Scheme in Tanzania using a randomized complete block design with four hydrogel application rates (0, 10, 20, and 30 kg/ha) and the rice variety TXD 306. Results demonstrated that the application of hydrogel significantly enhanced morphological and physiological parameters compared to the control. The 30 kg/ha application rate yielded the highest performance, recording 13 panicles per plant, a leaf area index (LAI) of 2.29, and a grain yield of 4,850 kg/ha. Notably, the 30 kg/ha treatment increased WUE to 0.272 kg/m³, representing a 16.2% improvement over the control group (0.234 kg/m³). Statistical analysis (ANOVA and LSD test, p < 0.05) confirmed that the 30 kg/ha treatment was superior to the control in grain yield, panicle number, and LAI. These findings suggest that cassava peel-derived hydrogels are an effective, locally sourced soil amendment for optimizing moisture retention and nutrient availability. Consequently, this technology provides a viable, sustainable strategy for maximizing rice productivity and resource-use efficiency in water-limited agricultural regions.</p>