Do anionic polyacrylamide polymers affect plant growth?

Various anionic polyacrylamide polymers (PAMs) are frequently used to improve soil properties and reduce erosion. However, the effects of their application on plant growth remain unclear.

What is water soluble anionic polyacrylamide (PAM)?

Water soluble anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) was found to be a highly effective erosion-preventing and infiltration-enhancing polymer, when applied at rates of 1–10 g m −3 in furrow irrigation water. Water flowing from PAM treated irrigation furrows show large reductions in sediment, nutrients and pesticides.

What is ionic polyacrylamide (PAM)?

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

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).

Is polyacrylamide effective for erosion control and water quality protection?

Since the early 1990s use of polyacrylamide (PAM) has been shown to be an effective strategy for erosion control and water quality protection ( Lentz and Sojka, 1994 ).

Can anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) be used to treat animal waste?

The application of anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) to soils and/or vegetative treatments may also provide a cost-effective way to dramatically reduce bacteria and nutrient loads in animal waste effluent and thereby reduce pollution in surface and ground waters receiving these effluents.