wetting agents
Soil surfactants and critical soil moisture content
By Ryan Schwab
Water-repellent soils are one of the challenges faced by golf course superintendents. This phenomenon can cause localized dry spots (Figure 1), which are areas of wilted turfgrass struggling from a rootzone with poor water infiltration, poor water retention, and non-uniform flow of water among other important soil characteristics. The potential or severity of soil water repellency may increase once the soil dries down to a specific level.
MGCSA Member-Driven Research profile: Comparison of wetting agents on recovery of wilt from dry spots in fairways
The University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science Team has partnered with the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association (MGCSA) to perform on-site research determined by the members themselves. As part of this project, we conducted a study at Centerbrook Golf Course. We examined the following research question: Can a surfactant with the right chemistry also function as a wetting agent to combat wilt from dry spots?
Comparison of wetting agents on recovery of wilt from dry spots in fairways
Water repellency of turf can lead to localized dry spots and can cause waste of irrigation water. Not only that, it also can cause the turf to repel other products, such as pesticides, that after application need to reach the root zone of turfgrasses to be effective. Wetting agents are surfactants used to increase water penetration.