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Soil conditioner

January 01, 1970

A soil conditioner is a product which is added to soil to improve the soil’s physical qualities, usually its fertility (ability to provide nutrition for plants) and sometimes its mechanics. In general usage, the term "soil conditioner" is often thought of as a subset of the category soil amendments (or soil improvement, soil condition), which more often is understood to include a wide range of fertilizers and non-organic materials.[1] In the context of construction soil conditioning is also called soil stabilization.

Soil conditioners can be used to improve poor soils, or to rebuild soils which have been damaged by improper soil management. They can make poor soils more usable, and can be used to maintain soils in peak condition.[2]

Composition edit

A wide variety of materials have been described as soil conditioners due to their ability to improve soil quality. Some examples include biochar,[3] bone meal, blood meal, coffee grounds, compost, compost tea, coir, manure,[4] straw, peat, sphagnum moss, vermiculite, sulfur, lime, hydroabsorbant polymers,[5] and biosolids.[6]

Many soil conditioners come in the form of certified organic products, for people concerned with maintaining organic crops or organic gardens. Soil conditioners of almost every description are readily available from online stores or local nurseries as well as garden supply stores.[7]

Polyacrylamides edit

Polyacrylamides have been widely investigated as soil conditioners.[8] They were introduced as "linear soil conditioner" in the 1950s by Monsanto Company under the trade name Krilium. The soil conditioning technology was presented at a symposium on "Improvement of Soil Structure" held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 29, 1951. The technology was strongly documented and was published in the June 1952 issue of the journal Soil Science, volume 73, June 1952 that was dedicated to polymeric soil conditioners. The original formulation of polyacrylamide soil conditioners was difficult to use because it contained calcium which cross-linked the linear polymer under field conditions. Krilium was abandoned by Monsanto. Water-soluble soil conditioners offer the following benefits:[9]

  1. increase pore space in soils containing clay
  2. increase water infiltration into soils containing clay
  3. prevent soil crusting
  4. stop erosion and water runoff
  5. make friable soil that is easy to cultivate
  6. make soil dry quicker after rain or irrigation, so that the soil can be worked sooner

Consequently, these translate into

  1. stronger, larger plants with more extensive root system
  2. earlier seed emergence and crop maturity
  3. more efficient water utilization
  4. easier weed removal
  5. more response to fertilizers and to new crop varieties
  6. less plant diseases related to poor soil aeration
  7. decreased energy requirement for tillage

The cross-linked forms of polyacrylamide, which strongly retain water, are often used for horticultural and agricultural under trade names such as Broadleaf P4 and Swell-Gel. In addition to use on farm lands, these polymers are used at construction sites for erosion control, in order to protect the water quality of nearby rivers and streams.[10] As an nonionic monomer it can be co-polymerize with anionic for example Acrylic acid and cationic monomer such as diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC) and resulted co-polymer that can have different compatibility in different applications.

Polyacrylamide is also used in some potting soil.[11] Another use of polyacrylamide is as a chemical intermediate in the production of N-methylol acrylamide and N-butoxyacrylamide.[12]

Purpose edit

Soil structure edit

The most common use of soil conditioners is to improve soil structure. Soils tend to become compacted over time. Soil compaction impedes root growth, decreasing the ability of plants to take up nutrients and water. Soil conditioners can add more loft and texture to keep the soil loose.[13]

Soil nutrients edit

For centuries people have been adding things to poor soils to improve their ability to support healthy plant growth. Some of these materials, such as compost, clay and peat, are still used extensively today. Many soil amendments also add nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen, as well as beneficial bacteria.

Additional nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, may be augmented by amendments as well. This enriches the soil, allowing plants to grow bigger and stronger.[14]

Cation exchange edit

Soil amendments can also greatly increase the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils. Soils act as the storehouses of plant nutrients. The relative ability of soils to store one particular group of nutrients, the cations. The most common soil cations are calcium, magnesium, potassium, ammonium, hydrogen, and sodium.

The total number of cations a soil can hold, its total negative charge, is the soil's cation exchange capacity. The higher the CEC, the higher the negative charge and the more cations that can be held and exchanged with plant roots, providing them with the nutrition they require.[15][16]

Water retention edit

Soil conditioners may be used to improve water retention in dry, coarse soils which are not holding water well. The addition of organic material for instance can greatly improve the water retention abilities of sandy soils and they can be added to adjust the pH of the soil to meet the needs of specific plants or to make highly acidic or alkaline soils more usable.[17] The possibility of using other materials to assume the role of composts and clays in improving the soil was investigated on a scientific basis earlier in the 20th century, and the term soil conditioning was coined. The criteria by which such materials are judged most often remains their cost-effectiveness, their ability to increase soil moisture for longer periods, stimulate microbiological activity, increase nutrient levels and improve plant survival rates.

The first synthetic soil conditioners were introduced in the 1950s, when the chemical hydrolysed polyacrylonitrile was the most used. Because of their ability to absorb several hundred times their own weight in water, polyacrylamides and polymethacrylates (also known as hydroabsorbent polymers, superabsorbent polymers or hydrogels) were tested in agriculture, horticulture and landscaping beginning in the 1960s.

Interest disappeared when experiments proved them to be phytotoxic due to their high acrylamide monomer residue. Although manufacturing advances later brought the monomer concentration down below the toxic level, scientific literature shows few successes in utilizing these polymers for increasing plant quality or survival. The appearance of a new generation of potentially effective tools in the early 1980s, including hydroabsorbent polymers and copolymers from the propenamide and propenamide-propenoate families, opened new perspectives.

Soil stabilization edit

In the context of construction there are some soil improvement techniques that are intended to improve the effective strength and resistance of very soft soils, for example when excavating deep tunnels for underground subway or tunnel construction.[18] The soil stabilization technique of low pressure chemical permeation grouting has also been used for high rise foundation underpinning as an alternative to pile foundations at a residential development over the East River landfill. Pressure grouting can be difficult to apply correctly at sites with waste materials or heterogeneous and coarse soils.[19][20]

Application edit

Soil conditioners may be applied in a number of ways. Some are worked into the soil with a tiller before planting. Others are applied after planting, or periodically during the growing season. Soil testing should be performed prior to applying a soil conditioner to learn more about the composition and structure of the soil. This testing will determine which conditioners will be more appropriate for the available conditions.[21]

Ecological concerns edit

While adding a soil conditioner to crops or a garden can seem like a great way to get healthier plants, over-application of some amendments can cause ecological problems. For example, salts, nitrogen, metals and other nutrients that are present in many soil amendments are not productive when added in excess, and can actually be detrimental to plant health. (See fertilizer burn.) Runoff of excess nutrients into waterways also occurs, which is harmful to the water quality and, through it, the environment.[22]

References edit

  1. ^ "Glossary of Soil Science Terms". Soil Science Society of America. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  2. ^ Noble, R (March 2011). "Risks and benefits of soil amendment with composts in relation to plant pathogens". Australasian Plant Pathology. 40 (157): 157–167. doi:10.1007/s13313-010-0025-7. S2CID 8999229.
  3. ^ Kavitha, Beluri; Reddy, Pullagurala Venkata Laxma; Kim, Bojeong; Lee, Sang Soo; Pandey, Sudhir Kumar; Kim, Ki-Hyun (2018). "Benefits and limitations of biochar amendment in agricultural soils: A review". Journal of Environmental Management. 227: 146–154. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.08.082. PMID 30176434. S2CID 52168678.
  4. ^ Bolan, Nanthi; Adriano, Domy; Mahimairaja, Santiago (2004). "Distribution and Bioavailability of Trace Elements in Livestock and Poultry Manure By-Products". Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology. 34 (3): 291–338. Bibcode:2004CREST..34..291B. doi:10.1080/10643380490434128. S2CID 97016838.
  5. ^ Guilherme, Marcos R.; Aouada, Fauze A.; Fajardo, André R.; Martins, Alessandro F.; Paulino, Alexandre T.; Davi, Magali F.T.; Rubira, Adley F.; Muniz, Edvani C. (2015). "Superabsorbent hydrogels based on polysaccharides for application in agriculture as soil conditioner and nutrient carrier: A review". European Polymer Journal. 72: 365–385. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2015.04.017. hdl:11449/172035.
  6. ^ (PDF). Water Environment Federation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  7. ^ . Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  8. ^ Friedman, Mendel (2003). "Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Safety of Acrylamide. A Review". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 51 (16): 4504–4526. doi:10.1021/jf030204+. PMID 14705871.
  9. ^ Arthur Wallace, Sheldon D. Nelson (1986). "Foreword". Soil Science. 141 (5).
  10. ^ Construction Contract Standards [1] "Standard Specifications State of California".
  11. ^ Environment Canada; Health Canada (August 2009). "Screening Assessment for the Challenge: 2-Propenamide (Acrylamide)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Government of Canada.
  12. ^ Dotson, GS (April 2011). "NIOSH skin notation (SK) profile: acrylamide [CAS No. 79-06-1]" (PDF). DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-139. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  13. ^ . Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  14. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  15. ^ "Fundamentals of Soil Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)". Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  16. ^ "What is Soil Conditioner?". Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  17. ^ "Improving Your Soil". Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  18. ^ Architectural Graphic Standards. The American Institute of Architects. 2008. p. 18. ISBN 9780470085462.
  19. ^ Lees, David (May 2021). "Permeation Grouting in Sydney". Conference: Geotechnical Advances and Challenges in Urban Development. ...application is limited by the soil conditions and whilst ideal in the aeolian sands, it may not be appropriate in the fluvial deposits which are richer in silts and organic matter.
  20. ^ "Laboratory Evaluation of Performance and Durability of Polymer Grouts for Subsurface Hydraulic/Diffusion Barriers". UNT Digital Library. Brookhaven National Laboratory. 1994. The selection of subsurface barriers for any given site which needs remediation, and the selection of a particular barrier technology must be done, however, by means of the Superfund Process, with special emphasis on the remedial investigation and feasibility study portions. The chemical compatibility of the material with the wastes, leachates and geology with which it is likely to come in contact is of particular importance for barriers constructed from fluids which are supposed to set in-situ. EPA emphasizes this compatibility in its guidance documents, noting that thorough characterization of the waste, leachate, barrier material chemistry, site geochemistry, and compatibility testing of the barrier material with the likely disposal site chemical environment are all required.
  21. ^ . Archived from the original on May 23, 2000. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  22. ^ "Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff" (PDF). Retrieved May 10, 2012.

See also edit

Related lists edit

January 01, 1970
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A soil conditioner is a product which is added to soil to improve the soil s physical qualities usually its fertility ability to provide nutrition for plants and sometimes its mechanics In general usage the term soil conditioner is often thought of as a subset of the category soil amendments or soil improvement soil condition which more often is understood to include a wide range of fertilizers and non organic materials 1 In the context of construction soil conditioning is also called soil stabilization Soil conditioners can be used to improve poor soils or to rebuild soils which have been damaged by improper soil management They can make poor soils more usable and can be used to maintain soils in peak condition 2 Contents 1 Composition 1 1 Polyacrylamides 2 Purpose 2 1 Soil structure 2 2 Soil nutrients 2 3 Cation exchange 2 4 Water retention 2 5 Soil stabilization 3 Application 4 Ecological concerns 5 References 6 See also 6 1 Related listsComposition editA wide variety of materials have been described as soil conditioners due to their ability to improve soil quality Some examples include biochar 3 bone meal blood meal coffee grounds compost compost tea coir manure 4 straw peat sphagnum moss vermiculite sulfur lime hydroabsorbant polymers 5 and biosolids 6 Many soil conditioners come in the form of certified organic products for people concerned with maintaining organic crops or organic gardens Soil conditioners of almost every description are readily available from online stores or local nurseries as well as garden supply stores 7 Polyacrylamides edit Polyacrylamides have been widely investigated as soil conditioners 8 They were introduced as linear soil conditioner in the 1950s by Monsanto Company under the trade name Krilium The soil conditioning technology was presented at a symposium on Improvement of Soil Structure held in Philadelphia Pennsylvania on December 29 1951 The technology was strongly documented and was published in the June 1952 issue of the journal Soil Science volume 73 June 1952 that was dedicated to polymeric soil conditioners The original formulation of polyacrylamide soil conditioners was difficult to use because it contained calcium which cross linked the linear polymer under field conditions Krilium was abandoned by Monsanto Water soluble soil conditioners offer the following benefits 9 increase pore space in soils containing clay increase water infiltration into soils containing clay prevent soil crusting stop erosion and water runoff make friable soil that is easy to cultivate make soil dry quicker after rain or irrigation so that the soil can be worked sooner Consequently these translate into stronger larger plants with more extensive root system earlier seed emergence and crop maturity more efficient water utilization easier weed removal more response to fertilizers and to new crop varieties less plant diseases related to poor soil aeration decreased energy requirement for tillage The cross linked forms of polyacrylamide which strongly retain water are often used for horticultural and agricultural under trade names such as Broadleaf P4 and Swell Gel In addition to use on farm lands these polymers are used at construction sites for erosion control in order to protect the water quality of nearby rivers and streams 10 As an nonionic monomer it can be co polymerize with anionic for example Acrylic acid and cationic monomer such as diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride DADMAC and resulted co polymer that can have different compatibility in different applications Polyacrylamide is also used in some potting soil 11 Another use of polyacrylamide is as a chemical intermediate in the production of N methylol acrylamide and N butoxyacrylamide 12 Purpose editSoil structure edit The most common use of soil conditioners is to improve soil structure Soils tend to become compacted over time Soil compaction impedes root growth decreasing the ability of plants to take up nutrients and water Soil conditioners can add more loft and texture to keep the soil loose 13 Soil nutrients edit For centuries people have been adding things to poor soils to improve their ability to support healthy plant growth Some of these materials such as compost clay and peat are still used extensively today Many soil amendments also add nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen as well as beneficial bacteria Additional nutrients such as calcium magnesium and phosphorus may be augmented by amendments as well This enriches the soil allowing plants to grow bigger and stronger 14 Cation exchange edit Soil amendments can also greatly increase the cation exchange capacity CEC of soils Soils act as the storehouses of plant nutrients The relative ability of soils to store one particular group of nutrients the cations The most common soil cations are calcium magnesium potassium ammonium hydrogen and sodium The total number of cations a soil can hold its total negative charge is the soil s cation exchange capacity The higher the CEC the higher the negative charge and the more cations that can be held and exchanged with plant roots providing them with the nutrition they require 15 16 Water retention edit Soil conditioners may be used to improve water retention in dry coarse soils which are not holding water well The addition of organic material for instance can greatly improve the water retention abilities of sandy soils and they can be added to adjust the pH of the soil to meet the needs of specific plants or to make highly acidic or alkaline soils more usable 17 The possibility of using other materials to assume the role of composts and clays in improving the soil was investigated on a scientific basis earlier in the 20th century and the term soil conditioning was coined The criteria by which such materials are judged most often remains their cost effectiveness their ability to increase soil moisture for longer periods stimulate microbiological activity increase nutrient levels and improve plant survival rates The first synthetic soil conditioners were introduced in the 1950s when the chemical hydrolysed polyacrylonitrile was the most used Because of their ability to absorb several hundred times their own weight in water polyacrylamides and polymethacrylates also known as hydroabsorbent polymers superabsorbent polymers or hydrogels were tested in agriculture horticulture and landscaping beginning in the 1960s Interest disappeared when experiments proved them to be phytotoxic due to their high acrylamide monomer residue Although manufacturing advances later brought the monomer concentration down below the toxic level scientific literature shows few successes in utilizing these polymers for increasing plant quality or survival The appearance of a new generation of potentially effective tools in the early 1980s including hydroabsorbent polymers and copolymers from the propenamide and propenamide propenoate families opened new perspectives Soil stabilization edit In the context of construction there are some soil improvement techniques that are intended to improve the effective strength and resistance of very soft soils for example when excavating deep tunnels for underground subway or tunnel construction 18 The soil stabilization technique of low pressure chemical permeation grouting has also been used for high rise foundation underpinning as an alternative to pile foundations at a residential development over the East River landfill Pressure grouting can be difficult to apply correctly at sites with waste materials or heterogeneous and coarse soils 19 20 Application editSoil conditioners may be applied in a number of ways Some are worked into the soil with a tiller before planting Others are applied after planting or periodically during the growing season Soil testing should be performed prior to applying a soil conditioner to learn more about the composition and structure of the soil This testing will determine which conditioners will be more appropriate for the available conditions 21 Ecological concerns editWhile adding a soil conditioner to crops or a garden can seem like a great way to get healthier plants over application of some amendments can cause ecological problems For example salts nitrogen metals and other nutrients that are present in many soil amendments are not productive when added in excess and can actually be detrimental to plant health See fertilizer burn Runoff of excess nutrients into waterways also occurs which is harmful to the water quality and through it the environment 22 References edit Glossary of Soil Science Terms Soil Science Society of America Retrieved May 10 2012 Noble R March 2011 Risks and benefits of soil amendment with composts in relation to plant pathogens Australasian Plant Pathology 40 157 157 167 doi 10 1007 s13313 010 0025 7 S2CID 8999229 Kavitha Beluri Reddy Pullagurala Venkata Laxma Kim Bojeong Lee Sang Soo Pandey Sudhir Kumar Kim Ki Hyun 2018 Benefits and limitations of biochar amendment in agricultural soils A review Journal of Environmental Management 227 146 154 doi 10 1016 j jenvman 2018 08 082 PMID 30176434 S2CID 52168678 Bolan Nanthi Adriano Domy Mahimairaja Santiago 2004 Distribution and Bioavailability of Trace Elements in Livestock and Poultry Manure By Products Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 34 3 291 338 Bibcode 2004CREST 34 291B doi 10 1080 10643380490434128 S2CID 97016838 Guilherme Marcos R Aouada Fauze A Fajardo Andre R Martins Alessandro F Paulino Alexandre T Davi Magali F T Rubira Adley F Muniz Edvani C 2015 Superabsorbent hydrogels based on polysaccharides for application in agriculture as soil conditioner and nutrient carrier A review European Polymer Journal 72 365 385 doi 10 1016 j eurpolymj 2015 04 017 hdl 11449 172035 Questions and Answers on Land Application of Biosolids PDF Water Environment Federation Archived from the original PDF on 4 April 2015 Retrieved 24 April 2015 Natural Fertilizers Amendments Archived from the original on April 24 2012 Retrieved May 10 2012 Friedman Mendel 2003 Chemistry Biochemistry and Safety of Acrylamide A Review Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 51 16 4504 4526 doi 10 1021 jf030204 PMID 14705871 Arthur Wallace Sheldon D Nelson 1986 Foreword Soil Science 141 5 Construction Contract Standards 1 Standard Specifications State of California Environment Canada Health Canada August 2009 Screening Assessment for the Challenge 2 Propenamide Acrylamide Environment and Climate Change Canada Government of Canada Dotson GS April 2011 NIOSH skin notation SK profile acrylamide CAS No 79 06 1 PDF DHHS NIOSH Publication No 2011 139 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Soil Compaction Causes Effects and Control Archived from the original on May 29 2012 Retrieved May 10 2012 Soil Amendments and Fertilizers PDF Archived from the original PDF on May 26 2012 Retrieved May 10 2012 Fundamentals of Soil Cation Exchange Capacity CEC Retrieved May 10 2012 What is Soil Conditioner Retrieved February 18 2013 Improving Your Soil Retrieved May 10 2012 Architectural Graphic Standards The American Institute of Architects 2008 p 18 ISBN 9780470085462 Lees David May 2021 Permeation Grouting in Sydney Conference Geotechnical Advances and Challenges in Urban Development application is limited by the soil conditions and whilst ideal in the aeolian sands it may not be appropriate in the fluvial deposits which are richer in silts and organic matter Laboratory Evaluation of Performance and Durability of Polymer Grouts for Subsurface Hydraulic Diffusion Barriers UNT Digital Library Brookhaven National Laboratory 1994 The selection of subsurface barriers for any given site which needs remediation and the selection of a particular barrier technology must be done however by means of the Superfund Process with special emphasis on the remedial investigation and feasibility study portions The chemical compatibility of the material with the wastes leachates and geology with which it is likely to come in contact is of particular importance for barriers constructed from fluids which are supposed to set in situ EPA emphasizes this compatibility in its guidance documents noting that thorough characterization of the waste leachate barrier material chemistry site geochemistry and compatibility testing of the barrier material with the likely disposal site chemical environment are all required Producing Garden Vegetables with Organic Soil Amendments Archived from the original on May 23 2000 Retrieved May 10 2012 Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff PDF Retrieved May 10 2012 See also edit nbsp Agriculture and Agronomy portal nbsp Gardening portal nbsp Ecology portal nbsp Environment portal Agricultural soil science Agroecology Biodynamic agriculture Certified Naturally Grown Compost Industrial agriculture Organic farming by country Organic Farming Digest Organic food Organic movement Permaculture Polymer soil stabilization Seasonal food Soil science Sustainable agriculture Wildculture Plant nutrition Related lists edit List of composting systems List of environment topics List of sustainable agriculture topics List of organic gardening and farming topics Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Soil conditioner amp oldid 1196113651, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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