The Effect of Soil Conditioners on Water Movement through Lateritic Sandy Loam Soil

Abstract

AbstractThe lateritic sandy loam soil of Gopali suffers by a high infiltration rate and percolation loss. The investigated soil was treated by four soil conditioners, CMC, PVA. Guargum and Lignosulphonate (LIG.) at 0.05 per cent and 0.10 per cent concentration level. The infiltration of water at −2 m bar pressure in horizontal column of soil was studied. The experimental results indicate that the lignosulphonate has increased the time by 30% and 70% to penetrate the 15 cm depth of soil column at 0.05 and 0.10 per cent concentration level, respectively. In the case of PVA, increase of time was 18 per cent and 33 percent at these the concentration level. Guargum at high concentration level increased the time by 31 per cent to penetrate the same depth of soil. Whereas CMC at high concentration reduced the time by 8 per cent. Similar trends were found in case of volume of water penetration and infiltration rate of treated soil.