Erosion Control in Furrow Irrigation Using Polyacrylamide

Soil Erosion Issues in Agriculture

“…The dimensions of the circular channel half-circle formed were: 0.30 m wide x 0.25 m deep at the center and 6 m in length, which was settled the soil at depth of 0.20 m at the center, with a bulk density similar to that observed in the field. Given the channel slope was 3%, the same as was achieved by three supports placed at the ends of the channel and in the center of it, see Figure 2 (Chávez, 2007).…”

“…Several studies have shown that PAM dissolved in irrigation water at a rate of 10 kg ha -1 improves water infiltration (Leib et al, 2005;Chávez et al, 2010) and may be increased from 7 to 8 times the final infiltration as compared with the control (Ajwa & Trout, 2006). However, at rate of 20 kg ha -1 applied in granular was this has proven to be effective in controlling erosion (Lentz & Sojka, 2000;Chávez et al, 2009), if applied in the first 5 mm of soil, it will reduce runoff by up to 30% as compared with the control plot (Yu et al, 2003), and may be increased by up to 54% of the aggregates stability (Lentz et al, 2001;.…”

“…Wetting fronts are broader and infiltration is higher in the rows treated with polyacrylamide as compared with those that are untreated (Yu et al, 2003). The use of PAM as alternative practice of soil conservation has been repeatedly proven to be an effective and viable (Bjorneberg et al, 2000;Santos et al, 2000;Lentz et al, 2001;Yu et al, 2003;Kornecki et al 2005;Chávez, 2007;Chavez et al, 2009). However, this effectiveness depends on the type and charge density and molecular weight (Green et al, 2001).…”

“…However, this effectiveness depends on the type and charge density and molecular weight (Green et al, 2001). PAM with high molecular weight and low concentrations in the irrigation water has given better results for erosion control (Lentz & Sojka, 2000;Bjorneberg et al, 2003;Chávez, 2007;Chavez et al, 2009). The application of PAM to soil is a viable way to control erosion, however, there are no current studies comparing the methods of implementation; therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate three forms of application of PAM in a groove to find the one that is most effective in controlling soil erosion caused by concentrated flows, using a rate of 20 kg ha -1 .…”