Anti-erosion for soil by ... polymer!

In addition to planting protective plants, improving water and drainage systems . to reduce soil erosion, there is a method widely used in the world today - using polymers. For the first time in Vietnam, such a polymer material was successfully synthesized at the Institute of Chemistry (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology).

A bag of PAM is packed in a plastic bag.

Called PAM (polyacrylamide), this fine white powder material can be mixed into water at a rate of 10mg / liter and sprayed onto the soil surface after planting or sowing. Meanwhile, PAM dissolves in water and acts as a reinforcing agent, binding soil particles together. As a result, the surface layer adheres to the underlying soil layer, reducing the risk of soil erosion as well as limiting nutrient leaching, new seedlings .

Not only soil bonding, PAM also increases soil permeability up to 80%, reducing the flow rate on the soil surface. Better water absorption increases soil durability, facilitates seed germination and root growth.

Although not a fertilizer, PAM contains about 14-15% nitrogen, useful for plants and microorganisms. If combining PAM with fertilizer, the amount of fertilizer will be retained more in irrigation or rain processes, reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer flowing into rivers and streams and lowering production costs.

With these useful properties, PAM is a support material for planting trees in areas with high slope (hillsides, river banks, road slopes .), preventing desertification, erosion and discolouration. for land. The material remains active for 12 months after spraying, provided that the surface is not plowed. It is also possible to mix PAM in dry powder into soil when making soil and then plant trees on it.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khoi, head of the research team of the Polymer Materials Division, PAM is an organic substance and its molecule is not absorbed. PAM molecules are stable in soil and the ability to store in soil for about 18 months.

Test results for a year on sloping land for tea and cassava in Thach That, Ha Tay, showed that erosion decreased by about 80%, crop productivity increased by 11-15%. Materials are also being tested on coffee land in Gia Lai. It is known that one hectare requires 7-12kg / PAM, for 35,000 - 45,000 VND / kg, half cheaper than imported polymer.

Currently PAM is being produced at a pilot scale with a capacity of 70kg / day at the Institute of Chemistry. The main material is a product of the petrochemical industry. This product is mixed with the catalyst and then put into the reaction container with strict control of retention time, temperature, feed rate . The final product is PAM.

In the short term, the research team is perfecting the technology to produce a stable production process, while expanding the field of application of PAM, especially in transportation.

Taluy along the road was planted with grass and sprayed with PAM

Fresh grass on the slats some time after PAM spraying

Test PAM on coffee land in Gia Lai

Test PAM on cassava soil

Minh Son