POLYACRYLAMIDES (PAMS)

Synthetic polymers with extensive water-retention and water-saving capabilities used to halt erosion and promote dryland farming. The polymers used are long-lasting, gel-forming, water-absorbing materials that can absorb more than 400 times their weight in distilled or pure water. While commercial florists have used PAMs for a number of years, the polymers are now available on a commercial scale to where farmers can incorporate them into the soil like powdered fertilizers and pesticides. In addition to direct application to both soil and irrigation water, the polymers may also be woven into a fabric to cover the surface for weed control and additional moisture conservation.