Cellulose xanthate as a soil conditioner: Laboratory experiments

Abstract

Cellulose xanthate was found to be effective in reducing the strength of a crust formed under standard laboratory conditions on all soils tested, including some known to be unresponsive to conditioning by poly(viny1 alcohol). Suitable application rates were 12.5 or 25 kg (of cellulose) ha-', as a 1 % solution. It was more effective, weight for weight, than PVA or Natrosol 250 HHR. Whereas germination of seeds was either partially or completely inhibited by direct contact with 1 % cellulose xanthate solution, even when its pH was adjusted with orthophosphoric acid from the initial 13.2 to 6.5, application of cellulose xanthate as a spray to the surface of the soil in pot experiments did not depress emergence of seedlings of lettuce, cabbage, onions or chicory.

Evolution of Concepts of Environmental Natural Nonliving Organic Matter

“…The polymer would dissolve, should these bonds be broken, and could then be expected to be a good aggregate former and stabilizer. Page (1980) demonstrated that cellulose xanthate (in which the -OH group on C -6 is replaced by -OCS 2 ), a watersoluble cellulosic polymer, is an excellent stabilizer of soil aggregates. Harrison (1982) showed that when the xanthate was introduced to clay media, CS 2 was given off and the cellulose remained sorbed to the clay.…”

Cellulose xanthate as a soil conditioner: Field trials

“…2 The material had sulficient promise to justify the organisation of field trials on soils known to have experienced probems whenever weather conditions were conducive to capping.…”

“…Following the rediscovery of the soil conditioning properties of cellulose xanthate by Menefee and Hautala,' its potentialities were investigated by laboratory experiments at the National Vegetable Research Station (NVRS). 2 The material had sulficient promise to justify the organisation of field trials on soils known to have experienced probems whenever weather conditions were conducive to capping.…”