Effect of Polyacrylamide integrated with other soil amendments on runoff and soil loss: Case study from northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) has the potential to reduce soil erosion through soil conditioning. However, a comprehensive study about its effectiveness especially when applied combined with other amendments have rarely been conducted in the tropical highland climatic conditions, such as in Ethiopia. The study assessed the effectiveness of PAM (P = 40 kg ha−1) alone or integrated with other soil amendments such as gypsum (G = 5 t ha−1), lime (L = 4 t ha−1) and biochar (B = 8 t ha−1) on runoff and soil loss at Aba Gerima watershed in the Upper Blue Nile basin, northwest of Ethiopia, where there is high erosion-caused soil degradation. A total of 79 daily runoff and sediment data were collected from eight runoff plots (1.3m × 4m) with three replications planted with teff (Eragrostis tef) crop for two years (2018 & 2019) rainy seasons. Associated changes in soil physicochemical properties and crop growth parameters were investigated. Treatments reduced seasonal runoff by 12–39% and soil loss by 13–53%. The highest reduction in runoff was observed from P + B and PAM treatments while the highest reduction in soil loss was observed from that of P + L and PAM treatments. Integrating PAM with other amendments improved soil structural stability, moisture content, soil pH (P + L) and organic matter (P + B), leading to favorable environment for crop growth (biomass yield) and reduced runoff and soil erosion. Unlike PAM, biochar and lime amendments may need more time after application to be more effective. Hence continuing the field experiment and studying physico-chemical mechanisms for extended period will better elucidate their single or combined effectiveness over time.