Create and characterize novel hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) -Xanthan gum ionically cross-linked hydrogel was the aim of the current investigation. Different xanthan gum and cross-linker ratios were used at a specific HPMC ratio to create the hydrogel. FTIR, Thermal analysis (TGA& DSC), SEM, and swelling degree index were used to assess the hydrogel that was formed. One of the factors utilized to decide that Formula HPXa 5 was the best was its high water uptake. In order to study the effects of HPXa 5 application on soybean plants cultivated under two irrigation regimes (D1, every 7 days, or D2, every 10 days), HPXa 5 was applied at ratios of 0, 2, 3, and 4 g/kg soil.

The findings showed that plants which received irrigation every seven days had higher growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, and lower levels of osmolytes (proline), non-enzymatic antioxidants (phenolic and flavonoid compounds), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR)) than plants that received irrigation every ten days. Regarding the HPMC-Xanthan gum hydrogel effect, it was clear that hydrogel application at all concentrations significantly increased the majority of the measured parameters (growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, content of proline, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, activity of CAT, POX, SOD, accompanied by significant decreases in MDA, and H2O2 content ) in comparison to corresponding controls in soybean plants were irrigated every seven or ten days. It is clear that the root's dry weight responds to HPMC-Xanthan gum more strongly than the responds Increases in total chlorophyll and decreases in MDA and H2O2 owing to 2g/kg HPMC-Xanthan gum were more pronounced in plants that received irrigation every 10 days than in plants that received irrigation every 7 days. It is important to note that HPMC-Xanthan gum hydrogel can be utilized as a useful tool to lower the amount of water needed for irrigation of soybean plants.