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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Jonesboro, Arkansas » Delta Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #338547
Title: Evaluation of polyacrylamide on irrigation efficiency, soil conservation, and water quality in furrow irrigated Mid-South cotton production

Author
item BARNES, BRITTANY - Arkansas State University
item TEAGUE, TINA - Arkansas State University
item Reba, Michele

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Arkansas ranks third in agricultural irrigated acres contributing to nutrient and sediment runoff and groundwater decline of the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer. This established a need for improved irrigation management practices. Agricultural uses of polyacrylamide (PAM) in the western U.S. have been shown to decrease potential soil erosion, increase water retention, and improve water quality from edge of field runoff. Limited data are available showing practical benefits of PAM in the humid Mid-South. This study was conducted at the Judd Hill Research Farm in Trumann, Arkansas to evaluate the performance of PAM on soil erosion, water infiltration, movement of nutrients and sediment, and crop performance in furrow-irrigated Mid-South cotton. PAM applications were broadcasted throughout furrows twice during the production season. The study found that PAM amendments did not improve water front advance times, water quality, or sediment losses. Effects were not discovered for tarnished plant bug infestations, plant maturity, fiber quality, or yield. Differences were found for infiltration between irrigated without PAM and with PAM amendments but were not consistent with advancement rate data.

Technical Abstract: Arkansas is a leading state in irrigated acres in the United States. As such, resulting groundwater decline and irrigation-induced soil erosion can have negative impacts. This establishes a need for irrigation management practices to improve irrigation efficiency as well as reduce soil erosion and improve water quality. Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a high molecular weight, anionic, water-soluble chemical flocculant that acts as a soil conditioner. When combined with irrigation practices, the applied water has been found to stabilize the near surface particles to decrease potential soil erosion and improve runoff water quality. The use of the polymer in the low rainfall areas of the western United States agricultural areas has shown positive water retention results in furrow-irrigated systems. Currently, limited data are available showing practical benefits of PAM in the humid Mid-South. In a 2016 field trial in Northeast Arkansas, we evaluated broadcast applications of PAM in a replicated field study and examined effects on soil erosion, water infiltration, movement of nutrients and sediments, and crop performance. Treatments included irrigation with PAM amendments, irrigation without PAM and a non-irrigated rainfed check. The experiment was arranged as a complete randomized block with three replications. A granular formulation of PAM was broadcast distributed with a hand spreader at a rate of 10 lb/acre (11.2 kg/ha) immediately after furrows were cleared using standard sweeps (Buffalo cultivator), just prior to the first irrigation event, 49 days after planting (DAP). A second application was made the 2nd week of flowering on 13 July, (76 DAP). Extensive plant, soil, water, and pest monitoring activities were conducted throughout the season. Using soil moisture sensors, we observed significant differences in irrigation water infiltration in PAM treatments. Infiltration was significantly greater in the Irrigated treatment; however, was not consistant with advancement times among treatments. There were no water quality improvements associated with application of PAM. In fact, addition of PAM significantly increased Nitrate, Nitrite, Total N, and Total P loss measured in runoff water quality. There were no differences measured in irrigation advancement rates or sediment loss associated with PAM applications. We observed no significant effects of PAM applications on insect pest infestations, plant maturity, or fiber quality. Overall, irrigated cotton yields were higher than rainfed treatment; however, PAM had no effect on yields compared to irrigation without PAM. Effectiveness of the product in the humid Mid-South and Southeast states may be limited because of precipitation patterns. In addition, lower slopes are common in precision leveled cotton production fields in the Mid-South.