Application of polyacrylamide (PAM) through lay-flat polyethylene tubing: effects on infiltration, erosion, N and P transport, and corn grain yield

• Main Author: McNeal, Jacob P.
• Other Authors: L. Jason Krutz
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: MSSTATE 2016
• Subjects: Plant and Soil Sciences
• Online Access: http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-04172016-214925/

<p>Polyacrylamides (PAMs) are water-soluble, long-chain synthetic organic polymers that, when applied as a soil amendment, purportedly improves infiltration, decreases sediment and agrochemical transport, and improves crop yield. There is a paucity of data, however, on the effect of PAM applied through lay-flat polyethylene tubing on infiltration, erosion, agrochemical transport, and crop yield for Mid-South soils in furrow irrigated environments. The objective of this thesis was to compile and analyze PAM use in agricultural settings in the United States, and to conduct a 2 year field experiment to assess PAM effects on infiltration, erosion, N and P transport, and corn grain yield on a Dundee silt loam and a Forestdale silty clay loam soil located in Stoneville and Tribbett, Mississippi, respectively. Results indicate PAM has utility to improve infiltration and crop yield in Mid-South production systems, but effects on sediment and N and P transport will be variable and site specific. </p>