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.
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FieldScience Hygroscopic & humectant technology use for water management challenges Editor’s note: This article was written by Sarah Irwin, a marketing representative for Ecologel Solutions, LLC. W ITH RISING COSTS, watering restrictions and re- current drought, maintaining healthy turf with less water is a perpetu- ally increasing challenge for many sports turf managers. Several new technologies have been developed to provide solu- tions for conservation without sacrific- ing quality. One such technology, Hydretain, is a liquid application de- signed to reduce overall watering re- quirements, and protect plants from drought stress in between periods of rainfall or irrigation. Once applied, Hydretain forms a thin film around plant root hairs. This film, consisting of hygroscopic and humectant compounds, attracts individ- ual water molecules from the surround- ing environment and condenses those molecules into plant usable water droplets. By making use of water vapor that would otherwise be lost to evapora- tion, Hydretain enables plants to thrive with up to a 50% reduction in watering frequency. 18 SportsTurf | June 2011 When plants do not receive suffi- cient moisture from rainfall or irriga- tion, the ensuing drought stress can do more damage than all other environ- mental factors combined. By supplying roots with microscopic droplets in be- tween periods of rainfall or irrigation, Hydretain can help minimize or even eliminate the effects of drought stress. “After applying this product to an initial 3 acres of golf course turf during the summer’s severe drought and heat, I saw positive results in less than a week. The previously drought stressed, brown grass at the sites of my initial applica- tion was green and vigorous within one week of application of Hydretain. Sub- sequently, I proceeded to apply Hy- dretain to 100 acres of golf course turf. Within the first month of application, I noticed not only healthier turf under se- vere drought conditions,” said Rich Cope, golf course superintendent for the University of Texas Golf Club, “but my irrigation demand was decreased by 33% without sacrificing turf quality. Even though I irrigate with effluent water at no cost for the water, this irri- gation reduction is significant because my pump- ing costs, including electricity and component wear, were reduce by 1/3 and my turf quality was significantly improved under the worst climatic conditions I have experience in 20 years of golf course management.” Formulated from food grade materials, and containing no hazardous chemicals, Hydretain is environmentally friendly and safe to use around children and pets. Since Hydretain does not have the ability to store significant quantities of water, it will not encourage fungus or disease develop- ment. Although best results will be obtained by using Hydretain proactively and as part of a regu- lar maintenance program, the product can be used for seasonal applications and for the individual treatment of localized dry spots. Hydretain should not be mistaken for a surfac- tant or superabsorbent polymer. The Hydretain technology is unique in its ability to convert sub- surface humidity into plant usable water droplets. As a liquid, Hydretain can be applied at any point in a plant’s life. In addition to reducing overall wa- tering requirements and helping to minimize the effects of drought stress, Hydretain is also benefi- cial for seeding and sod establishment. Applied immediately after seeding, Hydretain increases germination rates by keeping seeds from drying out. Furthermore, Hydretain aids in establishment and root growth by keeping more water available for the developing roots of seedlings, sprigs and sod. Hydretain is just as beneficial for the trans- plant, establishment, and maintenance of bedding plants, shrubs, and trees. The Hydretain technology is sold by John Deere Landscapes under the name of LESCO Moisture Manager®; by BioPro Technologies, LLC as H3O Plus; and by Ecologel Solutions, LLC as Hydretain ES, Hydretain ES Plus and Hydretain ES Plus II. ■ www.sportsturfonline.com