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Under optimized conditions, the L-CF\/CMCAA-1ATP hydrogel exhibited an equilibrium swelling capacity of 1979 g\/g in deionized water and retained 74.37% of absorbed water after 250 min at 75 \u00b0C. Soil application significantly improved water-holding capacity (40.11% to 56.55%) and maintained 34.41% water retention after 21 days. Additionally, cumulative nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium losses were reduced by 28.84%, 28.56%, and 42.23%, respectively, after five leaching cycles, with DFT calculations indicating that nutrient retention arises from hydrogen-bonding interactions with carboxyl, hydroxyl, and siloxane groups in the hydrogel network. Agricultural assays demonstrated enhanced maize growth, with chlorophyll content increasing by 21.56% compared with the control. Cell viability remained above 95% at all tested concentrations, confirming low cytotoxicity. These results demonstrate that the L-CF\/CMCAA-1ATP superabsorbent hydrogel combines excellent water absorbency, water retention, nutrient conservation, plant growth promotion, and low in vitro cytotoxicity, highlighting its potential as a waste-valorization approach for utilizing agricultural residues and improving water and nutrient management in agriculture.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/gels12090854","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,22]],"date-time":"2026-09-22T14:19:03Z","timestamp":1790086743000},"page":"854","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Carboxyl-Functionalized Lotus Cellulose Fiber-Based Superabsorbent Hydrogel for Efficient Water and Fertilizer Management"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7837-9012","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jiawen","family":"Chen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Sauvage 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