Effect of polyvinylacetate on soil compaction, surface resistance, and wheat germination in a marl soil under rainfall simulator

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of polyvinylacetate on some physical properties and wheat grain germination in a marl soil in the west Zanjan proviue in 2011. Polyvinylacetate (PVAc) solution was sprayed at four levels (0.00, 33.34, 66.67 and 100.00 kg ha-1) with four replications on 16 soil samples. The polymerized soils were put in the boxes with a dimension of 30 cm × 50 cm and 20 cm- height. Wheat grains were planted in 2 cm -depth with an interval of 5 cm each other. The polymerized soils were affected by four rainfall events with an intensity of 40 mm h-1. Soil compaction was determined based on the bulk density and soil surface resistance was measured by a penetrometer. Germination percentage was computed using the ratio of germinated grains to total planted grains. Results showed that the PVAc significantly affected the soil compaction and surface resistance (P<0.001). There was a positive relationship between the soil surface resistance and the soil compaction and affected by the PVAc (R2=0.99). The highest germination rate (95.39%) obtained with application of 100 kg ha-1 polyvinylacetate level which was 7.5% higher than the control treatment (88.2%). By using the PVAc, soil aggregation was remarkably improved and consequently soil compaction and surface resistance considerably deceased. The wheat germination rate significantly enhanced in the polymerized soils due to improvement of the soil physical properties.