Effect on Soil Properties and Crop Yields to Long-Term Application of Superabsorbent Polymer and Manure

Summary

This field study examined long-term effects of superabsorbent polymer and organic manure amendments on soil structure and crop productivity using X-ray CT imaging and comprehensive soil hydraulic characterisation. Both amendments significantly improved soil pore architecture, water retention, organic carbon, and structural stability compared to controls, with superabsorbent polymer demonstrating greater efficacy than manure alone for several soil properties at shallow depths. The soil improvements translated to increased wheat and maize yields, suggesting that synthetic polymer amendments merit consideration alongside organic amendments for soil remediation under intensive farming conditions.

Regional applicability

The findings may have relevance to UK cereal production, particularly regarding soil remediation in degraded arable systems; however, the study was conducted under temperate continental climate conditions and soil types that may differ from UK contexts. Adoption of synthetic superabsorbent polymers in UK agriculture would require evaluation of cost-effectiveness, long-term environmental persistence, and regulatory acceptance compared to organic amendments.

Key measures

Soil pore number and connectivity (160–1,000 μm and >1,000 µm pores), soil organic carbon, water-stable macroaggregates (>0.25 mm), soil bulk density, field water capacity, available water content, wilting point, saturated water content, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and wheat and maize yields

Outcomes reported

The study measured soil physical and chemical properties including pore structure (via X-ray CT), organic carbon content, water-stable macroaggregates, bulk density, water-holding capacity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity across soil depths to 100 cm, alongside wheat and maize yields under long-term superabsorbent polymer and organic manure treatments.

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