Runoff and erosion control of silt clay soil with land application of polyacrylamide

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to test the influence of an anionic polyacrylamide (PAM, superfluc 836) on water infiltration and soil loss of an arid land silt loam soil in Jordan under simulated rainfall conditions. Field plots with dimensions of 1200 mm by 600 mm having moderate slope varied from 3 – 5% were demarcated and equipped with runoff collection facilities. Rainfall intensity were kept at 80 mm/h for duration of 50 min. PAM was used at 4 application rates of 2, 5, 10, and 20 kg/ha plus a control. Experimental results showed that PAM was very effective in reducing soil loss and enhancing water infiltration at all application rates. The application of PAM at 2, 5, 10, 20 kg/ha reduced sediment loss significantly ( p < 0.05) by 12, 25, 52 and 85%, respectively compared to control. Similarly, the application of PAM significantly increased runoff starting time by 70% in average and infiltration volume prior to runoff by 50% at all application levels. PAM also increased the total infiltration volume and final infiltration rate at all application rates but this increase was only significant at higher application rates of 10 and 20 kg/ha.

Keywords:

• PAM
• erosion control
• water infiltration
• field plots
• arid soil