How can a water soluble anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) reduce soil erosion?

Application of water-soluble anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) to the soil. Reduce soil erosion by water or wind. Improve soil surface infiltration rate and minimize soil crusting to allow for uniform plant growth. Irrigated lands susceptible to irrigation-induced erosion where the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of irrigation water is less than 15.

Does polyacrylamide (PAM) reduce surface runoff and soil loss?

As compared with the control, it was obtained that PAM application with a rate of 3.333 kg.ha-1 reduced surface runoff and soil losses by 23.1 and 18.5%, respectively and increased infiltration rate by 24%. Key words: Polyacrylamide (PAM), soil erosion, soil loss, runoff, infiltration rate, simulated rainfall.

How much polyacrylamide can be applied to a soil?

By considering the price and application cost of polyacrylamide, it is concluded that, PAM application of 500 mg L-1 (3.333 kg ha-1) is the most appropriate for reducing soil and runoff losses and increasing the infiltration rate of soils.

Does polyacrylamide affect soil infiltration rate?

Polyacrylamide’s ability to maintain soil structure, reduce soil dispersion and prevent the formation of slowly permeable surface seal was reported by Lentz and Sojka (1994) and this will explain the increased infiltration rate of PAM applicated soil. Soil infiltration rate was affected by different doses of PAM (Figure 17).

What is ionic polyacrylamide (PAM)?

Anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) has been sold since 1995 to reduce irrigation‐induced erosion and enhance infiltration.

What is polyacrylamide sprayed on soil surface?

Polyacrylamide sprayed on soil surface reduced soil and runoff losses, but increased infiltration rate of soil. PAM limits disrupting of aggregate integrity caused by water drop impact and provides keeping the amount of pore space on soil surface.