Project Title:

Water infiltration aid and anticrusting agent for irrigation farming

Investigators:

C. Steven Sikes, T. D. Sikes, and M. N. Wickham

Project Summary:

The objective of this project is to demonstrate the utility of a proprietary, synergistic composition of an activated polysaccharide and a high molecular weight co-polymer of acrylamide and acrylate.  This composition aids in water infiltration and suppresses crusting of the soil surface during wetting and drying events.  Water infiltration refers to the percolation of irrigation water into the soil as compared to runoff from the field.  Water infiltration will be measured in the laboratory by use of transparent columns and furrow simulations that allow visual inspection of inflow into the soil.  Water infiltration in the field will be assessed by comparing inflow and outflow, including rates and the elapsed time until runoff.  Soil cores will also be taken in the field for measurement of infiltration and distribution of the active agents.  These will be assessed through use of novel fluorescence double-labeling designed specifically for this project.  Anticrusting refers to suppression of hard crust formation at the field surface upon drying.  A softer surface improves seedling emergence.  Anticrusting will be monitored from the emergence of alfalfa, sugar beets, and cotton seedlings in treated and untreated soils, both in the laboratory and in the field.  This project aims to improve the efficiency of irrigation water use by enhancing the capacity of the soil to absorb water, while decreasing soil erosion in surface water runoff.  Although the soil surface is rendered more amenable to seedling emergence, the surface is still stabilized and thereby less subject to wind erosion relative to untreated soils.  Through this work, improvements in soil quality can be achieved and maintained, ultimately contributing to increased agricultural productivity in water-scarce regions, and possibly other broad benefits in agricultural practices and land restoration.