Superabsorbent Polymer Use in Rangeland Restoration: Glasshouse Trials

Shannon V. Nelson, Neil C. Hansen, Matthew D. Madsen, Val Jo Anderson, Dennis L. Eggett and Bryan G. Hopkins ()
Additional contact information
Shannon V. Nelson: Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences (PWS), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Neil C. Hansen: Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences (PWS), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Matthew D. Madsen: Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences (PWS), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Val Jo Anderson: Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences (PWS), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Dennis L. Eggett: Department of Statistics (STAT), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Bryan G. Hopkins: Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences (PWS), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-31

Abstract: Post-disturbance rangeland restoration efforts are often thwarted due to soil moisture deficits. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) absorb hundreds of times their weight in water, increasing soil moisture when the SAP is mixed with soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate banded SAPs under the soil surface to increase plant available water and thus seedling establishment for perennial rangeland species during restoration efforts. Five glasshouse experiments with two rangeland perennial grass species, bottlebrush squirreltail ( Elymus elymoides ) or Siberian wheatgrass ( Agropyron fragile ), were conducted. Treatments varied, including SAP rates ranging from 11–3000 kg ha −1 with placement mostly banded at depths extending from the surface up to a 15 cm depth. Generally, SAPs increased soil moisture at all rates and depths for up to 49 days. However, rates ≥ 750 kg ha −1 caused the soil to swell and crack, potentially hastening soil drying later in the season. Seedling longevity was increased up to 12 days, especially at the high SAP band rate of 3000 kg ha −1 when the band was 8 or 15 cm deep. Further work is needed to verify banded SAP rates and placement depths in the field, ascertain conditions to reduce soil displacement, and evaluate benefits across species.

Keywords: superabsorbent polymer; SAP; hydrogel; rangeland; bottlebrush squirreltail; Siberian wheatgrass; banding; restoration; Elymus elymoides; Agropyron fragile (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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