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Effect of VAMA and HPAN Soil Conditioners on Aggregation, Surface Crusting, and Moisture Retention in Alkali Soils¹

ABSTRACT

A laboratory study was made to determine the relative effectiveness of VAMA and HPAN polymers at 6 rates of application in producing high water-stable aggregation. Nine alkali soils and two nonalkali soils, obtained from experimental sites in six Western States, were used in this investigation.

VAMA conditioner proved appreciably more effective than HPAN conditioner, within the rates of application of 0.025 to 0.20%, for 8 of the 11 soils studied. For 3 soils, there appeared to be no significant difference between these 2 kinds of conditioners at any of the rates used.

The rate of application of polymers necessary for effective structure stabilization was found to be directly related to both the specific surface and the clay content of soil. Because of its simplicity, the determination of clay content by any satisfactory method is recommended as a guide to rate of polymer treatment for maximum aggregation.

As determined by modulus of rupture measurements, both types of conditioners were effective in ameliorating soil hardness, or the crusting tendency, of high-sodium soils. However, neither conditioner exhibited an appreciable effect on soil-moisture retention.

¹ Contribution from the U. S. Salinity Laboratory, Soil and Water Conservation Research Branch, A.R.S., U.S.D.A., Riverside, Calif., in cooperation with the 17 Western States and the Territory of Hawaii.

² Soil Scientist and Engineering Aid, respectively.

Received for publication January 13, 1955.