Soil stabilization by polyvinyl alcohol and its effects on the growth of wheat

Abstract

A factorial experiment was carried out in the glasshouse using six levels of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and five levels of nitrogen fertilizer. Each pot contained 3 kg of the Urrbrae fine sandy loam taken from an area of low fertility. When no PVA was added, only 35% of the wheat seeds emerged, while at the lowest application rate of PVA (0.05% W/W for 0-2 cm layer of soil) the emergence rate was 90%. PVA did not affect plant growth or the uptake of nitrogen. Contrary to previous experience, the acceptance of simulated rain was not increased with the application of PVA, but soil losses were not significantly reduced.