Information on Wetting Agents and Drought/Heat Stress on Turf

This is a photo of a golf green in heat stress due to drought	Wetting agents, or surfactants, work by lowering the cohesive and/or adhesive surface water tension. This reduction of surface tension allows the water to spread out more evenly and allows for better penetration into the soils, especially soils that are hydrophobic. What is hydrophobic? Hydrophobic is the inability to rapidly absorb water to the point of repellency. To understand surface tension and repellency, place a drop of water on a piece of plain paper then on a piece of wax paper. The plain paper is generally hydrophilic, which means water does not see surface tension and the paper’s adhesion between the water molecules and itself are greater than that of the water’s molecules alone. So the water is absorbed quite readily. On the wax paper the droplet stays together and stands up. This is because the wax paper is hydrophobic and does not allow for the absorption of water rapidly. This is due to the wax that coats the paper, whose molecules are weaker than that of the water, so the water beads up.
The Effects of Heat Stress and Drought of Turf and Lawns During times of extreme heat or lack of precipitation, fine turf and lawns suffer and often loss due to this stress can be seen. This is because the soil is not allowing enough moisture or fluids to penetrate through the root system to carry enough nutrients to the plants. The cause of this can vary, but primarily is due to the sun hardening the surface soils and creating hydrophobic conditions. As the sun dries the top layer of thatch and soil, water and moisture penetration becomes increasingly more difficult, just as the water droplet on the wax paper, the soil begins to repel much needed water from entering into the soil profile. In such cases, down pours or even light rain and irrigation increasingly is lost due to surface run-off. And fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and needed nutrients also can run-off  causing even greater danger to both the turf and the environment. With this lack of moisture in the root system, lack of nutrient uptake and extreme heat, fine turf and lawns open themselves up to insects, disease and even weeds. The weaker the turf becomes, the less it will be able to compete with these elements.
How to treat for Drought & Heat Stress In many parts of the United States and several Countries around the world, water is being rationed, especially during times of drought. So water must be utilized in its best potential. And with fine turf and lawns, each rainfall or watering/irrigation cycle must be utilized to the last drop.  For the best treatment during these times, both moisture and nutrients are needed throughout the soil profile. A wetting agent or surfactant such as JETWET™  , JETWET-HL or  AQUABOND-HL  along with an organic biostimulant and root growth enhancer such as RUTOPIA™ should be applied. The wetting agent will break down the barriers, which repels the water, and allow it to easily enter the soil. At the same time allowing the moisture to spread more evenly through out the soil profile. All while transporting needed nutrients to the roots. In some cases utilizing products such as a wetting agent, surfactant or moisture management product, watering cycles can be reduced therefore aiding in overall water conservation.