Does polyacrylamide reduce sediment in irrigation?

PAM, used following NRCS guidelines (Interim conservation practice standard—irrigation erosion control (polyacrylamide), 1995, Anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) erosion control (Acre)‐code 450 USDA‐NRCS, NHCP, 2001), reduced sediment in runoff 94% in 3 years of furrow irrigation studies in Idaho (Lentz and Sojka, 1994).

What is ionic polyacrylamide (PAM)?

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

Does water soluble Pam reduce water infiltration?

Lentz (2003) conducted a systematic soil column and miniflume study that quantified the infiltration‐inhibiting effect of water‐soluble PAM treatments for different soils under ponded and flow conditions. Surface applications of 250‐ to 1000‐ppm PAM solutions to silt loam and clay loam soil reduced water infiltration 50–90%.

Does PAM treatment increase infiltration?

Mitchell reported an initial increase in infiltration with PAM treatment which did not persist to the end of an irrigation. The PAM rates used were 6.6, 13.3, and 32.2 kg ha −1 applied as liquid concentrations of 25, 50, and 150 mg liter −1 in irrigation flows.

Is polyacrylic acid a product of Pam degradation?

Hayashi et al. (1994) suggested that the simple compound polyacrylic acid might be another product of PAM degradation under some conditions, which can also be metabolized by microorganisms.

How does Pam reduce soil infiltration?

The choice of these limits is supported by recent research (Lentz, 2003). PAM maintains higher infiltration rates in treated soils primarily by stabilizing soil structure, preventing the breakdown of soil aggregates, and reducing dispersion of waterborne soil particles, leading to formation of infiltration‐inhibiting surface seals.