Studies on the Effect of Soil Conditioners (Part 2)

Abstract

The relation between the water stable aggregate forming efficiency and the properties of soil conditioners, above all their electric charge or the viscosity of their water solutions were investigated. The results of it were as follows : 1. The electric charges of several soil conditioners, such as A-22…, Krilium, Aerotil, Carboxymethylcellulose, Methyl-cellulose and Polyvinylalcohol, were measured by the TERAYAMA'S colloid titration method and the amounts of water stable aggregate in several soils treated with them were estimated by the modified. YODER'S method. But the results showed that there was no relation between them. (Table 1) 2. The viscosities of their water solution were measured by the OSTWALD viscosimeter at 20℃, and it was observed that the soil conditioner of high viscosity had the excellent water stable agregate forming efficiency. And so, it was seemed that the degree of the polymerization of the soil conditioners was the important factor for the water stable aggregate formation. (Table 2) 3. To pursue further the significance of the degree of the polymerization, the amounts of the water stable aggregate of several soils treated with four kinds of the Methyl cellulose were estimated. The viscosities of 1% water solution of them were 25 centi pois, 100 centi pois, 400 centi pois and 1,500 centi pois respectively. It was observed that the Methyl cellulose of the high degree of polymerization had the excellent water stable aggregate forming efficiency. (Table 3)