Potential use of polyacrylamide (PAM) in Australian agriculture to improve off and on-site environmental impacts and infiltration management

摘要: Polyacrylamide (PAM) has been sold in the United States since 1995 for reducing irrigation-induced erosion and enhancing infiltration. PAM's soil stabilizing flocculating properties have also substantially improved runoff water quality by reducing sediments, N, ortho and total P, COD, pesticides, weed seeds, microorganisms runoff. The first series of practical field tests of PAM was conducted U.S. 1991. Chemical companies, working with "early adopter" farmers, began farm testing 1997 Australia. Australian farmer results mixed because lack familiarity with chemical physical attributes, research focused on conditions a resulting support capability from extension or other public conservation management infrastructure. PAM physical properties that impart steeper learning curve than most other typical agricultural chemicals. Nonetheless, PAM, sediment, nutrients, and pesticide reductions exceeded levels achieved traditional farming' methods (Waters et al., 1999a,b).