03/11/05 Water reserve, polymer style

When one thinks of reservoirs of water as it applies to Northwest agriculture, the first vision is usually on expansive lakes created by large earthen, steel, and concrete dams along flowing streams and rivers. The vision might grow to include more out of the box versions of the same theme, such as the proposed Black Rock Reservoir in the Yakima Valley of Washington. But as our region grows closer to what appears to be very dry precipitation and soil moisture conditions for the 2005 growing season, or putting it in a not so polite way near or at drought like situations, assuring there will be enough H20 for growers will be a significant challenge, even in irrigated areas as snowpack is at below normal levels. It is leading growers to try new ways to conserve and reserve water to help their crops grow. Tom Edwards says one idea is "Stockosorb". Now Edwards is biased, being a Northwest dealer of the product based out of the Yakima Valley. But he says the technology of "Stockosorb", a superabsorbent cross-linked polymer from American Soil Technologies, is one that could be a difference maker for growers this year. EDWARDS: When water's added to these polymers, they will expand and they will form these reservoirs holding water as well as your water soluble nutrients. So as we get into a drier part of the season, the roots will actually grow into these cells, and it will begin pulling water out of the cells, and that will be your survival right there at the end of the season. Field tests have shown the best applications for "Stockosorb" to date have been for wheat, corn, and other grain crops, where yields have been improved as a result of "Stockosorb" application. And while Edwards admits that sounds like quite the product for the dryland grain growers of the region, "Stockosorb" has its place in irrigated areas as well. He notes increased intervals between irrigations, and potential cost savings as a result. EDWARDS: In fact, you could take a pound of "Stockosorb" and it could potentially absorb sixty gallons of water. And the material has to be incorporated into the soil. Generally it will be put out with a fertilizer spreader, it will be put in at the time of planting. Edwards adds that research continues into other agricultural uses for "Stockosorb" and similar polymer applications, and will continue, as new technologies in water conservation and holding water reserves becomes a more prominent need in the minds of growers.