Effect of soil surface treatments on runoff and wheat yields under irrigation

In arid and semi-arid regions, where soil structure is unstable, surface runoff due to seal formation reduces irrigation water use efficiency. This study was conducted to determine the efficiency of surface treatments in reducing runoff and increasing wheat crop productivity. Surface runoff from wheat plots on a non-sodic, silty clay loam soil (Rhodudalf silty clay loam), sprinkler irrigated with a good quality irrigation water, was collected using flumes and collection boxes. Percentages of runoff were 36.1% of the total irrigation during the growing season for the control (Ct), 12.8% for phosphogypsum (PG), 1.4% for polyacrylamide plus PG (PAM), and 1.1% for pitting plus PG (Pt) treatments (...)