ABSTRACT
Low infiltration rate, poor drainage, runoff, and soil erosion are among the principal factors responsible for soil degradation. This chapter discusses the use of commercial water-soluble polymers in controlling runoff and soil erosion, under arid and semiarid conditions where efficient water use and water conservation are of prime importance, with an emphasize on the Israeli experience. A Runoff and soil erosion problems are closely related to seal formation at the soil surface resulting from the impact energy of water drops, whether from rain or from overhead sprinkler irrigation. For prevention of seal formation, runoff, and soil erosion, it is preferable to add the polymer to the soil surface in solution form rather than as dry powder or granules. Runoff and soil erosion are closely related to the deterioration in the structure of the surface aggregates due to the impact energy of water drops.
