Does anionic polyacrylamide reduce soil erosion?

Anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) has the potential to reduce soil erosion through soil conditioning. However, a comprehensive study about its effectiveness especially when applied combined with other amendments have rarely been conducted in the tropical highland climatic conditions, such as in Ethiopia.

What are the benefits of integrating Pam with other soil amendments?

Integrating PAM with other amendments improved soil structural stability, moisture content, soil pH (P + L) and organic matter (P + B), leading to favorable environment for crop growth (biomass yield) and reduced runoff and soil erosion. Unlike PAM, biochar and lime amendments may need more time after application to be more effective.

Does gypsum improve soil aggregation?

Hence, applying PAM in mixture with sources of calcium electrolyte (Ca 2+), such as gypsum or lime, enhances its effectiveness in reducing runoff and soil loss, consequently improving soil aggregation (Lee et al., 2010).

Does gypsum reduce soil loss?

This finding is consistent with other research showing that amendments (PAM, gypsum, and lime) reduce soil loss to a greater extent than they reduce runoff (kebede et al., 2020). Treatments reduced both seasonal runoff and soil loss compared to the control, but no statistically significant difference was noted among most treatments (Fig. 5).

Can synthetic polymers reduce soil erosion?

In recent years, the use of synthetic polymers, such as Polyacrylamide (PAM), has become an emerging alternative to conservation practices to reduce soil erosion.

Can gypsum remove Al compounds from acidic soil?

Treating acidic soils with medium to high rates of gypsum, which has high solubility (∼2 g L −1) and mobility, could remove Al compounds (which act as binding agents) in the soil solution by forming the ion pair Al 2 (SO 4) 3 (Ernani et al., 2006), which would enhance dispersion and thus increase runoff and soil loss (Nishimura et al., 2005).