RESEARCH PAPER
Effects of Acryhope and Aquastore polymers on water regime and porosity in sandy soil
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Soil Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Publication date: 2020-09-23
Int. Agrophys. 1992, 6(1-2): 19-25
ABSTRACT
Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of Acryhope and Aquastore-B polymers on water regime and void ratio in sandy soil (Typic Torriorthents). It was found that both polymers decreased the water flux in the treated soils as compared to the control. The effect was dependent on polymer type, depth of placement, and rate of application. In general; the deeper the treated layer the slower the water flux. Aquastore was more effective in reducing water flux as compared to Acryhope. The effect of polymer placement on the flux followed the order of, top treatment > middle treatment > bottom treatment > whole treatment. A strong positive correlation was found between void ratio and swelling which indicates that swelling increased the porosity and consequently, increased the void ratio. But swelling also decreased water flux. The tested polymers increased the available water in sandy soil many times higher than that of the untreated soil. Moreover, they decreased water losses through evaporation.