Soil Science Society of America Journal · 1979 · 37 citations · 0 references
AgricultureSoil SciencesWater Resources ManagementIrrigation ManagementSoil ScienceSoil-water RelationsInfiltration ReductionIrrigationSoil MoistureSoil-water BalanceSoil-water ManagementWater InfiltrationColumnsGraft PolymersInfiltrationSilt LoamSoil Infiltration EnhancementWater Infiltration ReductionWater Retention CapacityWater Retention Properties
Abstract The effect of hydrolyzed starch‐polyacrylonitrile graft polymers (H‐SPAN or super slurper) on the water retention proper ties of three soils to which it had been added was evaluated in soil columns. Its effect on water retention was negligible in medium‐textured soils but it markedly increased water retained by sand. H‐SPAN added at 0.5% by weight to the upper 60 cm of sand increased the available water retained to nearly the same levels as that of a loam and a silt loam soil. The H‐SPAN treatment was more effective after the second and subsequent irrigation than after the first one. H‐SPAN reduced infiltration rates in all soils.