EFFECTS OF THE APPLICATION OF A HYDROGEL IN DIFFERENT SOILS

The application of hydrogels aids efficient management of water in agricultural production by improving water conservation and the physical properties of the soil. The objective of this paper was to determine the influence of an applied polymer (hydrogel) on the physical properties of different soils (sand, peat and chernozem), on the water consumption of oats and on relative changes in aboveground biomass production. The application of potassium polyacrylate in a concentration of 0.5% led to a change in some water and physical properties of sand. The amount of available water and water retention in the soil at different pressures (0–1.5 MPa) increased, whereas the bulk density decreased. Significant water savings may be achieved if hydrogels are applied to sand. The hydrogel application did not change the irrigation water needs of organic soils with a higher content of clay, and the aboveground biomass production remained unchanged.