Enhancing the Effectiveness of Soil Amendments Using Anionic Polyacrylamide: A Review

Abstract

The loss of soil amendments in plains and sloped locations with runoff water is a crucial problem. The diminution in the residence period of soil amendments in the soil affects their effectiveness. Due to non-cohesive character, most of the soil amendments such as biochar, lime, sulphur etc. erode with the soil on sloped surfaces. Ultimately, soil productively remains same before and after the application of soil amendments, which causes loss of time, money and labor. As per the available literatures, it was demonstrated that soil amendments must be applied with any cohesive ingredient in order to maximize their effects. Despite having a cohesive nature, gypsum has also been found to be disappearing from the field. An inexpensive, easily accessible, adaptable, and organic soil additive called anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) can be utilised to address these issues. PAM does not directly contribute to the growth of vegetation, but because of its organic and cohesive character, it gives significant stability to other soil amendments and promotes crop growth. In this review, the efficacy of biochar, gypsum, lime, and PAM is discussed both singly and in combination. Most importantly, effect of blending of important soil amendments such as biochar, gypsum and lime with the PAM was discussion to understand biomass growth, soil erosion, nutrient loss and enhancement of soil properties to promote soil productivity.