2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative project is to determine the fate of agrochemicals and their degradation products that are commonly used in the greenhouse industry including growth regulators, fertilizers, pesticides, and soilless media components such as polyacrylamide hydrogel. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Greenhouse and bench-top studies will be designed that allow for collection of leachate to track fertalizer and soilless media components fate. Soilless media and tissue samples will also be collected for fertilizer and pesticide tracking. Periodically, samples will be taken of the media and leachate for acrylamide analysis. These samples will be analyzed for elemental content with a C-N-S snalyzer and ICP-OES. More complex compounds that will be tracked will need to be extracted with organic solvent, followed by a chromatographic cleanup prior to injection into the gas chromatograph. Using these thchniques, the mass balance and fate of agrochemicals that are in use in greenhouses can be determined. 3.Progress Report A new approach was initiated whereby novel hydrogels with desirable properties would be synthesized by a colleague within the Engineering Department at The University of Toledo. Initial efforts were focused on modifying commercially similar polyacrylamide hydrogels to ensure their slow release of absorbed water in soils. Initial results showed that the goals of achieving slow water release and high water absorption are incompatible, requiring a new approach to moisture retention. A novel approach of synthesis suggests that it is possible to combine high water absorption, slow water release and adequate hydrogel strength. This project was monitored through regular email correspondence, and face-to-face meetings every other month with the PI, ADODR, and graduate student.