| Effect of a polymer on soil water retention/release characteristics
and plant water use efficiency.
Researcher:
Siva Sivapalan
Funding:
CSU Seed grant
Duration:
1998-1999
Funding
Project Summary:
Irrigation water is becoming scarce and expensive
to the farmers in Australia. Any measure that offers
a significant saving in irrigation water has great implications for Australian agriculture.
Synthetic anionic polyacrylamides have been reported to retain
a large quantity of absorbed water which is subsequently available for plant use. However,
the proportion of this water that is readily available to
the plants and the response of plants to this type of
soil treatment has not been adequately quantified
and documented in the literature. In addition,
information on the impact of polyacrylamide treatment
on irrigation water requirement and scheduling is
also lacking. The results of this study will be of
immediate benefit. The information that will be generated
from this study may be used by agronomists and
growers involved in agricultural production. This study
may also initiate interest among research colleagues
and lead to planning of major projects. | 
