Description of Potassium Polyacrylate
Potassium Polyacrylate is an ecological-friendly product with a neutral pH value of 7. It does not create harmful substances when unconfined. It is non-poisonous and secure to the surroundings and vegetation. It cannot be swept away by rainwater. It can be despoiled and reduced to ammonium nitrogen, water, and a small number of potassium ions (Zhengzhou Sigma Chemical, 2013). Therefore, it has a very important role in sustaining soil fertility. Potassium Polyacrylate has a very strong water-absorbing capability ranging between 400 and 500 times the self-weight of uncontaminated water (Demax Chemical, 2013).
Potassium Polyacrylate absorbs and stores water, then releases it to the plants when the need arises. Its water withholding capability is 13-14 kg/cm2. Potassium Polyacrylate has a strong outer physical pressure resistance, which allows it to extend the efficient time of a fertilizer (N CBI, 2013). This property is known as a dual fertilizer maintenance function. In addition to that, it expands after absorbing water and shrinks after losing it. This property makes the soil form an amassed, squashy, and permeable structure.
When it is put into the soil, Potassium Polyacrylate reduces thermal conductivity, advances soil moisture content, and decreases daytime soil temperature by 1-4 degrees Celsius. Night soil temperature increases by 2-4 degrees Celsius. Potassium Polyacrylate can be used can be utilized in horticultural and green plants with fast reactions (Demax Chemical, 2013).
Safety of Potassium Polyacrylate
Potassium Polyacrylate is an ecosystem-friendly product. It has a pH of 7(neutral), and it is non –poisonous. It causes no harm to the environment. Therefore, it is not a hazardous substance. However, it has health effects when mishandled. For instance, it can cause eye irritation, respiratory tract irritation, skin irritation, and harmful if swallowed (Demax Chemical, 2013).
Potassium Polyacrylate is used in agriculture because of its high water-absorbing capability so that it can release it into the soil when the need arises. It can also absorb and store fertilizers and pesticides, and release them into the soil gradually. This property of Potassium Polyacrylate helps in the reduction of fertilizers and pesticides losses and prolongs their duration (Demax Chemical, 2013).
Chemical components
The chemical components of potassium polyacrylate include carbon, hydrogen potassium, and oxygen. Its molecular formula is C3H3KO2. (Word Science, 2013)
Disadvantages of Potassium polyacrylate
Potassium Polyacrylate is expensive to use as compared to other soil modifications per square foot. Once it has been applied, it is impossible to get rid of it, thus it is advisable to be used in those areas, which are experiencing constant water retention insufficiency. When too much of it is applied into the soil, its crystals expand and push plants out of the ground. In addition to that, Potassium Polyacrylate creates an environment for the invasion of diseases (Fey, 2013).
Potassium Polyacrylate and Fertilizers
Potassium Polyacrylate is a substance added to the soil to absorb and store water for the plants. This is as a result of its high ability to absorb and release water to the plants. Potassium Polyacrylate can also absorb and release fertilizers into the soil, the same way it does to water. On top of that, this substance does not add nutrients to the soil; therefore, fertilizers can be used alongside it (N CBI, 2013).
Potassium Polyacrylate can be applied to palm as it is being applied to other vegetation like afforestation, anti-season psychometric plantation, horticultural crops, and other green plants. Lastly, Polyacrylate maintains soil structure (Zhengzhou Sigma Chemical, 2013).
References
Demax Chemical (2013).Potassium polyacrylate used in agriculture field: Where it works. Web.
WordScience (2013) Safety Data Sheet:Potassium Polyacrylate. Web.
Fey, B (2013).Agriculture: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Potassium Polyacrylate in agriculture?
N CBI. (2013).Potassium acrylate: Compound Summary.
Schenzhen Greenbarscitech co. (2013).Polyacylate: How to apply potassium polyacrylate to plants. Web.
Zhengzhou sigma Chemical Co. (2013) potassium polyacrylate:Super Absorbent Polymer. Web.