Assessing The Effects of Moisture Absorbent Material Type on Water Holding Capacity of Soil

Agriculture is the main consumer of water resources in our country. To increase irrigation efficiency and optimum use of water resources in arid and semiarid area using initiatives such as mulch, organic fertilizers and changes in soil physical properties using various modifiers such as perlite, hydroplus and the like. In order to compare natural and artificial water absorbing material on the soil water retention capacity, three – factor factorial experimental design based on a completely randomized design with 3 treatments of water absorbent material (­control (without the water absorbent material), cow manure (15 g per kg soil) and superabsorbent taravat A200 (2g per kg soil)­) were performed in loamy sand and clay loam soil in three replicates. Then the amount of soil water was measured for each treatment at intakes of 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 15 bar and the soil moisture curves were plotted separately. The results showed that there was significant difference among of treatment and two soil texture in various intake and intraction of these factors at the level of 1%. Generaly amount of soil moisture retention capacity in each texture was increased compared to control use of water absorbent material. Superabsorbent polymer in two texture of loamy sand and clay loam, increased volumetric soil moisture content compared to control, respectively 3.5 and 1.3. While this increase was respectively 1.6 and 1.1 for fertilizer. Thus application of polymer in soil, especially in light textures may increase moisture holding capacity may help to improve irrigation project, in arid and semiarid areas.