Many of us are currently getting or have had ample rainfall over the past couple of months. However, most areas will start seeing meaningful rain events become more sporadic and infrequent, making it challenging to prepare for their effects.
Soil surfactants, also known as wetting agents, have been used with great success in the golf and sports turf worlds for years to optimize soil moisture content. Their use in the commercial lawn care world is also gaining traction for both wet and dry soils.
Simply put, soil surfactants function within the soil to regulate moisture levels. They range from penetrants, which promote downward movement of water in the soil (infiltration), to hydration chemistries, which allow the soil to hold more water for plant availability. Many products on the market are a blend of the two, helping pull water down into the root zone while maintaining soil moisture for longer periods. Some of these combination products focus more on either water infiltration or hydration for different use cases. So, how can these be best utilized by lawn care operators?
Products that focus on infiltration, such as Command, Aqueous, or Infiltrip (all from HydroPak), will promote downward movement of water into the soil profile. These would be a great fit for early-season applications in heavy soils that are chronically wet and hold moisture. These infiltration products are also used when applying soil-active insecticides, pre-emergent herbicides, or other chemistries. For example, an infiltration surfactant can improve the placement of liquid-applied imidacloprid in the soil for grub control, helping the active ingredient reach its target more effectively and work more quickly.
Hydration products are what most may think of when considering soil surfactants, and include products like Vivax and Precip. Hydration products can be used on turf areas, ornamental plantings, and for sod establishment. They are best applied using a program approach, with the first application made before the soil becomes extremely dry. Recovery of hydrophobic or ultra-dry soil can be very difficult, so it’s best to apply the product early to avoid that scenario. Timing can vary, but a good rule of thumb is to make monthly applications during the summer.
Using hydration surfactants does not eliminate the need for irrigation or rainfall. However, they can significantly reduce the demand for irrigation while providing a more consistent soil moisture level, resulting in higher-quality turf and ornamental areas. Those with ornamental plantings (beds or container plantings) that use a water tank for manual irrigation can mix a liquid soil surfactant into their water tank during normal watering cycles for ease of application. By doing this, you’ll reduce your watering frequency and have a time buffer in case you need to adjust your watering schedule due to unforeseen circumstances.
Please don’t hesitate to ask your Advanced Turf Solutions rep which soil surfactant would be best suited to improve your customers’ properties. We are here to help!
