The effect of synthetic soil conditioners on microbial biomass

Y. Steinberger, S. Sarig, A. Nadler, G. Barnes

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    20 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The effect of polyacrylamide (PAM) (synthetic soil conditioners) application on soil microbial biomass carbon was examined under greenhouse conditions. Two types of anionic PAMs (2J and 21J) were mixed with two types of soils (sandy soil and loamy soil) in various concentrations of the polymers. After 5 days of incubation, the soils were analyzed. The two PAMs have different effects on the microbial biomass: In 21J the amount of biomass was lowered due to an increase in polymer concentration, whereas in 2J the response exhibited a parabolic-shaped curve. The results indicate unpredictable changes in soil microbial biomass due to the application of different synthetic soil conditioners.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)303-306
    Number of pages4
    JournalArid Soil Research and Rehabilitation
    Volume7
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1993

    Keywords

    • Loamy soil
    • Microbial biomass
    • Polyacrylamide (PAM)
    • Sandy soil
    • Soil conditioners

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