Polymer and sprinkler droplet energy effects on sugar beet emergence, soil penetration resistance, and aggregate stability

Abstract

Polymers in water applied to soil surfaces may increase aggregate stability and reduce aggregate slaking, thus minimizing crusting and increasing sugar beet (Beta vulgarisL.) emergence. We studied a cationic organic polymer, Nalcolyte 8102, manufactured by Ondeo Nalco Co., Naperville, IL, USA. The material’s active ingredient is a poly diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride (polyDADMAC), a proprietary quaternary polyamine. Surface-applied Nalcolyte 8102 and droplet energy were evaluated in laboratory and field studies for their effects on sugar beet emergence, soil penetration resistance (PR), and aggregate stability of two sprinkler irrigated, crust-prone silt loams in Idaho, U.S.A. In the laboratory, Nalcolyte 8102 at 1.1 Mg active ingredient (a.i.) ha⁻¹ was applied in 74,000 L of solution ha⁻¹ of wetted area; 5.4 Mg a.i. ha⁻¹ was applied in both 50,000 and 105,000 L ha⁻¹; and untreated water at 49,000 L ha⁻¹ was applied as a control. These treatments applied a. 7 mm (7 mm³ mm⁻²) of a 5% by volume solution, 5 mm of a 37% solution, a. 10 mm of an 18% solution, and a. 5 mm of untreated water, respectively. Later, at three field sites, Nalcolyte 8102 at 0.7 and 1.1 Mg a.i. ha⁻¹ were each applied in 74,000 L ha⁻¹ of solution (a. 7 mm of a 3 and 5 solution, respectively) by spraying at planting onto two soils, a Durinodic Xeric Haplocalcid and a Xeric Haplodurid, with sugar beet planted to stand. In the laboratory, Nalcolyte 8102 at 1.1 Mg ha⁻¹ increased emergence 2.5-fold (32% to 80%) and reduced PR 3.5-fold (1.34 MPa to 0.39 MPa) at 22 days after planting (DAP), compared with controls. In the field, 0.7 and 1.1 Mg ha⁻¹ increased emergence 1.2-fold (48.4 to about 58.3%) 50 DAP and increased aggregate stability after treatment 1.4-fold (68% to 97%) one DAP and 1.2-fold (76% to about 89%) 50 DAP, relative to an untreated control that received no water.