What is an anionic polyacrylamide (PAM)?

The use of soil amendments, including anionic polyacrylamide (PAM), is one of many options for protecting soil resources. In most applications, anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) is often used as a soil amendment to manage infiltration, runoff and soil erosion (Entry and Sojka, 2003, Lentz et al., 1998, Lentz et al., 2001, Sojka et al., 1998).

Is polyacrylamide a good soil conditioner?

However, as these solutions are proposed, numerous doubts and opposing opinions are emerging. Polyacrylamide (PAM), also known as “soil conditioner”, “soil amendment” and “soil stabilizer” in soil science (Gilda Dell'Ambrogio and Wong, 2019), is commonly used to modify the unfavorable and damaged characteristics of soil.

How do cationic cations adsorb Pam?

PAM is commonly adsorbed by soil through cationic bridges between soil and polymer anionic groups, and multivalent cations in the soil solution would bridge the negatively charged soil particles and polymers together (Laird, 1997).

Why is Pam a good soil conditioner?

Physico-chemical characteristics of PAM, such as a large molecular size and strong absorption ability to soil particles, lead to its low leaching potential and degradation rate (<10 % per year). This results in a large portion of PAM persistently existing in the soil after application as a soil conditioner (Gilda Dell'Ambrogio and Wong, 2019).

Does anionic polyacrylamide treatment improve seedling emergence and growth?

Wallace A (1987) Anionic polyacrylamide treatment of soil improves seedling emergence and growth. HortScience 22:951 Wallace A, Wallace GA (1986) Effects of soil conditioners on emergence and growth of tomato, cotton, and lettuce seedlings.

Can cationic Pam be used as a soil amendment?

Cationic PAMs work well as flocculants, but as they are toxic to aquatic wildlife (Barvenik, 1994), their use as a soil amendment is extremely limited. The way in which the polymer adsorbs to the soil is the key to its effectiveness as a soil amendment.