Effect of Polyacrylamide on Gypsiferous Crust Strength, and Seedling Emergence

The effect of applying polyacrylamide polymer on soil crusting, seedling emergence, infiltration and runoff rates were studied on gypsiferous soils collected from the Euphrate Basin in Syria The boxes were exposed to the rainfall 45.48 mm/h using a rainfall simulator. Total runoff and infiltration measurements for all boxes were recorded. The boxes were then transferred to a temperature-controlled room (25±2 °C) for drying. Soil moisture content and crust strength were measured periodically until 90% water loss was recorded in the soil. Seedling emergence was also counted daily.