<p>The effect of different concentrations of citric acid and phosphorus oxychloride, as crosslinking agents, on the role of phosphorus oxychloride is examined on the swelling behavior of superabsorbent composites based on xanthan gum and guar gum polymer matrices. The study further explores the enhancement of these composites by incorporating fillers such as cow dung powder, incense stick ash, and lemon peel powder in varying weight percentages. The results demonstrated that a formulation consisting of 100% xanthan gum crosslinked with 10% (w/w) citric acid exhibited significantly superior swelling capacity compared to those crosslinked with phosphorus oxychloride. Among different filler combinations tested 0.4&#xa0;g lemon peel powder incorporation, as filler, produced the best results. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis confirmed both the successful formation of crosslinks within the composite matrix and the incorporation of lemon peel (LP) as a filler material. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the addition of lemon peel reduced the crystallinity of the composite, indicating a more amorphous structure. SEM analysis revealed an increased porosity upon filler addition, which enhances the material’s swelling capacity. Water swelling tests demonstrated that the xanthan gum-lemon peel (XG + LP) composite exhibited the highest swelling ratio of 6466%. Biodegradation studies confirmed the excellent environmental degradability of the (XG + LP) composite. Additionally, seed germination evaluations showed that the (XG + LP) composite promotes faster seed growth by providing essential nutrients and moisture, highlighting its potential application in agricultural and environmental fields. The (XG + LP) composite’s enhanced porosity and swelling capacity under various conditions may promote efficient seed germination and soil moisture retention.</p> Graphical abstract