Effect of a Superabsorbent Polymer (Poly-Gamma-Glutamic Acid) on Water and Salt Transport in Saline Soils under the Influence of Multiple Factors

Abstract

In order to effectively suppress the negative effects of salt ions contained in saline soils on agricultural soil quality and crop growth, this study took advantage of the water-saving properties and better soil improvement properties of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA). By carrying out various experiments, the following relationships have been found. (1) The lab experiment studies the effect of the γ-PGA application on the infiltration of sandy loam soil. The application rates of γ-PGA are 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%, respectively. (2) HYDRUS-1D is used to simulate water infiltration of sandy loam soil under multiple factors (bulk density, γ-PGA application rate, and the application depth of γ-PGA). (3) The effect of γ-PGA on soil solute (Cl−) transport is also explored in this paper. The results show that bulk density and the application depth of γ-PGA (p < 0.01) have higher effects on cumulative infiltration than the application amount of γ-PGA (p < 0.05). A lower γ-PGA application rate will increase the proportion of unavailable soil water by 3%. The established empirical models have good results. Furthermore, when the γ-PGA application rate is 0.3% (0.02-cm2 min−1), the Cl− hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient is the highest. The study recommends applying the γ-PGA at 1.4 g cm−3, 5–20 cm, and 0.2%. The results of this study are conducive to an in-depth understanding of the physicochemical properties of poly-γ-glutamic acid, improving the utilization rate of salinized land, achieving agricultural water and fertilizer conservation and yield enhancement, and guaranteeing sustainable land use and sustainable development of agroecological environment.