SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/60100
quick to wilt. If the answer is yes, then you need to use a wetting agent to help maintain soils at a consistent volumetric water con- tent and to improve distribution uniformity. Wetting agents can help you maintain healthier turf by aiding in the rewetting soils and preventing wasteful run-off of water and inputs to maximize use efficiency. Another benefit of soil surfactants is their ability to break the co- hesive forces of water, reducing surface tension which allows for faster penetration of water into the surface of the soil. This "pene- trant" performance of surfactants prevents runoff, evaporation and puddling at the soil surface. IMPORTANCE OF WATER From both an environmental and economic stance, water is probably one of the most important components of your mainte- nance plan and budget. Wetting agents help water penetrate the soil surface and retain moisture in the soil profile. By doing so, less water is needed to maintain high quality turf, thus reducing both the cost of water and the costs associated with irrigating. Even in areas where rainfall is abundant or irrigation systems are used, wetting agents help maximize water use efficiency by im- proving distribution uniformity in the soil and enhancing water movement through the soil profile, reducing the amount of water you need to apply. It is important to note that not all wetting agents are the same. Non-ionics are the most common surfactants used in turfgrass management. Numerous surfactant chemistries exist and perform- ance characteristic as well as degree of phytotoxicity of each sur- factant chemistry varies considerably. Some are better wetters and have no penetrant qualities, while others reduce surface tension but do not increase water content in the soil profile. Reduction in surface tension, induced rewetting, and hydrating soil particles are aspects of a wetting agent that vary based on chemical structure. Rely on data from universities in your geographic area. Distrib- utors should also be able to tell you the key components in the jug and how those ingredients work in the soil and at what rate phytotoxicity may occur. Simply stating a material is a block co- polymer is not enough information. This term is generic and used to describe the majority of wetting agent chemistries. As a turfgrass manager your job is to maintain quality turf. Water repellency can make your job more difficult leading to runoff, evaporation, LDS, and wasted water and chemical inputs, which result in poor turf quality and uneven turf surfaces. If you need assistance determining which wetting agent chemistry is right for you, discuss it with your distributor or a wetting agent manufacturer. Most will be able to determine your specific issue and find a wetting agent solution. ■ Mica McMillan is the senior research agronomist for the R&D de- partment at Aquatrols Corporation. She handles all North American turfgrass research focusing on surfactant and soil-water quality prod- uct development. Mica is a graduate of Auburn University with a MS in Agronomy and Soils and is currently pursuing a PhD in Soil and Water Science at the University of Florida. www.stma.org SportsTurf 15