HOW SOIL WETTING AGENTS WORK AND WHY YOU SHOULD USE THEM

For growth and development, water is a vital resource for plants. For photosynthesis, the soil must have water readily available to allow for transpiration, solubilization of soil nutrients, and internal moisture. The plant can reach a point in which it is consuming water more quickly than it is absorbing. This is called the wilting point. This is called the "wilting point" and it is the first sign of plant dehydration.

To maintain a suitable playing surface for many sports, you will need to provide water for the turf grass plants. A football field that is left dry to 0% soil moisture could cause injury to players. A golf course would roll too fast and a cricket pitch too hard if it was too dry. Soil and surface moisture are important concerns because they affect the appearance of playing surfaces.

What is the working principle of soil wetting agents?

Because of the extreme climate in Australia, soil wetting agents are often required to maintain turf grass surfaces at acceptable standards. There are many types of soil wetting agents available in Australia. Each one serves a different purpose. All of them rely on the ability of their active constituents to alter the surface tension and physical behavior of water. This alters the interaction between water molecules and their environment. There are many different modes of action, which can lead to variations in how products work and consequently in their application. Some wetting agents are specialized in hydrophobic conditions, rewetting soil and others may be specialty penetrants or highly residual.

The surface tension of water is modified by wetting agents. This is why they are called surfactants, which stands for surface acting agents. Water's polarity results in both adhesive forces which cause water molecules to stick to surfaces and cohesive forces that allow them to stick to other water molecules. Hydrophobic surfaces repel water. Hydrophilic surfaces attract water or have an affinity for water. Hydrophobicity is often caused by soil conditions where organic matter has been broken down. These acids can be used to coat soil particles with a waxy residue. Hydrophobic soil particles are formed when the surrounding water repels the waxy coating.

Straight water applied to a hydrophobic surface will cause water to pool on the surface and be reluctant to penetrate the profile. It may eventually infiltrate the soil. However, it won't actually wet it. Instead it will drain through the profile leaving it dry. The water passes through the hydrophobic soil particles and does not attach to or adsorb to them. Instead, it finds its way out of the bottom. To promote infiltration, a wetting agent can be added to the water. This will allow the water's surface tension to be reduced and the water will interact with the hydrophobic particles while it percolates through this profile.

A wetting agent molecule pushes between two water molecules to reduce their surface tension. This forces them apart and reduces their cohesive bond. This "thins out" the water molecules, allowing them to act more independently and spreading across a wider surface instead of clumping together. Water can now move freely and enter the soil with the help of gravity. The wetting agent molecule acts to link the soil particle and water, since the surface tension has been decreased. This is due to the fact that the surfactant molecules have a lipophilic (wax loving), and hydrophilic ends that stick to water repellent surfaces. The latter act as a bridge. Hydrophobic soil that is not treated with a special wetting agent will need to be wetted regularly for a prolonged period of time in order to hydrate. The plant will be at its maximum wilting point by the time that rehydration takes place and may not recover.

Water in profiles that are sand-based

Factors such as soil type, environmental conditions and soil quality are key to soil's longevity, availability, and water content. One of the most important soil characteristics in terms of water retention and infiltration is the texture. Finer or more densely textured soils have a greater surface area for water to adhere to. These soils will retain water for a longer time. Because of their smaller surface areas, coarser-textured soils tend to hold water for a shorter time. The retention of water in soil profiles is also influenced by organic matter, which acts as a sponge in an otherwise non-absorbent environment. Organic matter is essential in providing water for turf roots when the soil profile is sand-based.

It is important to manage these issues as coarse sand-based materials are often desirable in sports turf construction methods like those used by the USGA. Stamina balance is an innovative surfactant formulation that serves specific purposes. Stamina Balance contains a long-chained, uniformly lateral wetting polymer that improves uniformity throughout the profile. It also includes a strong surface acting agent for initial penetration. A heavy surfactant molecule is added for optimal residual performance. These three modes of action combine to transform a sand-based soil into a soil that can receive and retain water for the turf grass plant.

Stamina Balance test in coarse sand-based material:

Long-chained polymer: Significantly increases water retention in soil-based root zones. These polymers improve the quality and consistency of wetting.

Surfactant with high-surface tension: Maximizes water penetration.

Residual surfactant : Provides residual activity and rewetting performance, and helps to overcome soil hydrophobicity.

Management of Dry Spots Localized

Localized Dry Spot (LDS), is a condition that occurs when turf grass is subject to drought. Hydrophobic soils can develop in small patches, causing non-uniform soil wetting. This causes turf grass to become discolored and wilted. Regular applications of a residual wett agent are the best way to prevent LDS.

This will stop hydrophobic conditions developing in areas where rainfall is scarce or low. Stamina 90, a concentrated specialty wetting agents, is designed to prevent long-term LDS and general hydrophobicity. Stamina 90 has a larger molecule than other wetting agents. This allows it to resist degradation and last longer in soil. Regular application of Stamina90 90 not only protects against LDS but also helps to create a healthy soil environment by evenly retaining moisture throughout the profile.

Stamina Rescue is a special wetting agent that can be used to treat LDS. Stamina Rescue's formulation is unique because it has a heavy molecule to provide residual performance and a high-surface acting agent that overcomes hydrophobicity. The formulation contains two surfactant molecules and a mixture of amino acids, saponins, and humites to help with plant recovery. This greatly improves the surface recovery and regeneration after LDS damage, especially when combined with biostimulants that rebuild root health.

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