1624
Water absorbing polymers: lawns
The current drought has revived interest in the
use of polymers as soil amendments for reducing irrigation requirements of
turf. The term "polymer"
covers a lot of territory.
The crystalline polymers promoted for landscape uses are most
commonly either starch-based (which last about a year in the soil) or
polyacrylamide-based (very long-lasting).
A CSU field study on Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue
conducted in the early 90's could find no advantage to using
polyacrylamide polymers as soil amendments. They did not allow maintenance of
green turf with less frequent irrigation or lesser amounts of water, and
did not delay the onset of dormancy when water was withheld. Further, dormant turf did not
green up more quickly when watering was resumed. These findings held true even when
very high rates were used.
Municipalities, golf courses, and other users of polymers have
generally reached the same conclusions regarding their effectiveness on
turf areas.
Some companies that market these materials for existing
landscapes inject the polymer crystals into the soil. The injection equipment often does
an admirable job of aeration and cultivation, leading customers to believe
that the polymers are the reason for increased lawn quality. Soil aeration increases rooting
and water infiltration. This
enhances water use efficiency and ultimately raises lawn quality.
It
should be noted that using crystal-type polymers in hanging baskets and in
some container plantings can significantly reduce the frequency and/or
amount of watering needed to keep plants healthy.
For more information, see the following Colorado State Extension fact sheet(s).
For more information, see the following Planttalk
Colorado™ script(s).
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