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Water Repellent Soil Mulch for Reducing Fertilizer Nutrient Leaching: II. Variables Governing the Effectiveness of a Siliconate Spray
Author(s) -
Snyder G. H.,
Ozaki H. Y.,
Hayslip N. C.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1974.03615995003800040040x
Subject(s) - leaching (pedology) , mulch , fertilizer , plastic mulch , environmental science , water repellent , agronomy , soil water , nutrient , potassium , plastic film , nitrogen , chemistry , soil science , materials science , organic chemistry , layer (electronics) , composite material , biology
Nitrogen and potassium leaching from a fertilizer band in sand soils was reduced by creating a mulch of water repellent soil over the band using a siliconate spray. Best results were obtained using a 1% siliconate spray in quantities sufficient to penetrate about 3 cm over a region 20 cm wide, on the flat surface of raised vegetable beds. Mulches created on peaked beds were ineffective in reducing leaching, probably due to erosion of the mulch. Sweet corn ( Zea mays var. rugosa ) yields were comparable to those obtained by protecting N and K with plastic mulch or by applying N and K in split applications.