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Water availability is one of the most important factors determining plant growth. In moisture-stressed situations, water-absorbing materials are an effective way to increase water retention capacity. In 2016–17, the CSIR-CIMAP Research Centre at Boduppal, Hyderabad, conducted field research on red sandy soil in the semi-arid environment of south India to see what effect different doses of hydrogel had on the growth, yield, and economics of senna, one of India's most export-oriented and economically important crops. The results show that applying 3000 g of hydrogel per hectare resulted in a significant increase in leaf and pod yield (2324.7 kg ha−1 and 675.7 kg ha−1, respectively) compared with the other treatment. It was comparable with the use of 2500 g of hydrogel (2216.8 kg ha−1and 643.4 kg ha−1, respectively). The control had a remarkably lower yield of leaf and pod (1611.6 kg ha−1 and 433.5 kg ha−1), respectively) then the 250 g hydrogel treatment (1730.8 kg ha−1 and 494.8 kg ha−1, respectively). When 3000 g of hydrogel is applied, water use efficiency and soil water holding capacity improves significantly (5.55 kg/ha mm, 50.12%, and 20.28%, respectively). A similar pattern was observed in terms of the growth parameter. Similarly, when comparing the rest of the treatments, the use of the hydrogel at 3000 g per hectare gave a much higher gross return (US$ 2289.7 ha−1), which was comparable to the application of hydrogel to senna crop at 2500 g per hectare (US$ 2183.1 ha−1). A similar pattern was observed in terms of net return (US$ 1669.0 ha−1). The benefit to cost ratio (B: C) was also much higher (2.69) when 3000 g of hydrogel was applied, and it was comparable to the application of 2500 g of hydrogel per hectare (2.52). [Display omitted] • Water availability is one of the most important factors determining plant growth of senna. • Moisture-stressed situations water absorbing materials are increases water retention capacity. • Results showed that applying 3000 g of hydrogel per hectare a significant increased in leaf and pod yield. • The benefit-to-cost ratio was also much higher (2.69) when 3000 g of hydrogel was applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]