Interpolymer complex of biopolymers as a soil structure-forming agent

Abstract

An interpolymer complex based on biopolymers — chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (AlNa) was synthesized. The chitosan-sodium alginate interpolymer complex was prepared by mixing equimolar solutions of polymers in a given proportion. Chitosan solution in citric acid and aqueous solution of sodium alginate were used. The composition of the interpolymer complex is determined by the methods of gravimetry, turbidimetry and dy-namic laser light scattering and is [CS]:[AlNa] = 2:3. Interpolymer complex is formed as a result of ion-ion interaction between cationic polyelectrolyte chitosan and anionic polyelectrolyte sodium alginate. Agrochemi-cal parameters of soil were determined without and with treatment of certain biopolymers and interpolymer complex. Soil treatment by the individual biopolymers and the prepared interpolymer complex has not been appreciably affected in its basic agrochemical parameters. As a result of laboratory experiments, it is shown that the prepared interpolymer complex is more effective means of protecting the soil from water erosion in comparison with individual biopolymers. Vegetation experiments in the laboratory revealed that soil treatment interpolymer complex has a positive effect on the growth and development of cucumber. Consequently, the synthesized interpolymer complex can be used as an effective environmentally sound structure-forming agent for the soil.