Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #58183
Title: APPLYING POLYACRYLAMIDE (PAM) TO REDUCE EROSION AND INCREASE INFILTRATION UNDER FURROW IRRIGATION

Author
item LENTZ, RODRICK - UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
item STIEBER, TIM - UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
item Sojka, Robert

Submitted to: Idaho Winter Commodity School Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/7/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Polyacrylamide (PAM) use was approved in January of 1995 as an interim conservation practice standard for the western United States by the NRCS. This approval will accelerate the adoption of PAM-use to control erosion and increase infiltration in furrow irrigated agriculture, and will likely lead to cost sharing in many conservation districts. This publication is the first comprehensive user-oriented "how to" article for PAM-use. It provides advice and step by step guidance for the preparation and use of PAM in furrow irrigation. Although written explicitly for Idaho, it is expected to receive wide attention in other western states as well. The article describes PAM chemical properties, mixing requirements, application strategies, soil and field management considerations, and provides worksheets for preparation and delivery of stock solutions to head ditches and furrows for proper controlled application. The article comes as a direct response to industry and farmer requests for a "PAM-use Cookbook".

Technical Abstract: Polyacrylamide (PAM) use was approved in January of 1995 as an interim conservation practice standard for the western United States by the NRCS. This approval will accelerate the adoption of PAM-use to control erosion and increase infiltration in furrow irrigated agriculture, and will likely lead to cost sharing in many conservation districts. PAM-use virtually halts furrow irrigation-induced erosion, while increasing infiltration and furrow advance time. PAM-use allows higher inflow rates to improve field water application uniformity and reduce leaching, while still preventing erosion. PAM-use is affected by soil texture and organic matter content, and by irrigation water quality. Mixing requirements are stringent and should follow specific guidelines. A series of worksheets are provided to help with calculations of amounts and addition rates of PAM required for controlled treatment of furrow irrigation advance water according to the published interim conservation practice standard.