Winter use of soil surfactants

Autumn and winter months bring plenty of challenges for stadium and pitch managers. Lower light levels and cooler temperatures shifts focus to managing drainage, wear and disease.

Surfactant technology has been available within the turfgrass industry for over sixty years to deliver greater control over spring and summer moisture levels and for dealing with established dry patch. However, the benefits of using good quality turf surfactants in autumn and winter are less well publicised. The chemistry in these products can play an important role in autumn and winter pitch surface management.

Optimising surface drainage

Over the past few years, turf managers in the UK and Europe have started using penetrant wetting agents to help improve surface infiltration and drainage rates more effectively through the late autumn and winter months. Aquatrols have made significant investment in research within this area, however the results have been less widely discussed.

Dispatch Sprayable has been proven to work, with robust data from trials conducted at leading research bodies including Ohio State University and Cranfield University. The research provides evidence that the use of Aquatrols Dispatch Sprayable:

• Significantly increases infiltration rates of water
• Significantly reduces surface water run-off on sloped areas

The study conducted at Ohio State

University to evaluate the effects of Dispatch Sprayable applications on water run-off was completed on a bent grass sward, on a 4% slope with a loam soil profile. Run-off was collected following each rainfall event and research results proved that Dispatch Sprayable reduced run-off by 20% over control plots and consequently low-lying areas remained drier.

The application of a penetrant increases the amount of water infiltrating into the ground at point of contact, reducing run-off onto adjacent areas, thereby helping to keep pitches drier and in better condition through high rainfall periods. This is especially useful on pitches cut into sloping ground where flow from higher land increases the amount of water the pitch is having to cope with. The benefits of using this surfactant technology are drier, firmer pitch surfaces, reduced impact of frost or snow and a reduction in levels of damage associated with play on overly wet, soft surfaces.

Many wetting agents sold as penetrants contain anionic surfactants due to their fast-acting properties, and consequently these products can scorch turf under certain conditions. However, the chemistries used in Dispatch Sprayable ensure that it is safe to apply at any time of year without any risk of turf damage.

Use a soil surfactant alongside overseeding

For those who are overseeding worn or high wear areas in autumn and early winter, careful planning is needed to maximise seedling germination and establishment as well as retention of the new perennial ryegrass plants long term. A proven soil surfactant will overcome water repellency, enhance water infiltration and ensure that irrigation water or rain wets the soil and seed evenly for faster, more uniform germination.

In an age of increasing costs and budget cuts, the demand to get the most out of introduced seed has never been greater. For autumn and early winter overseeding, use Aquatrols soil surfactants as a part of this process to help maximise the benefits from introduced seed.

For the best results, suitable soil surfactants should be applied two weeks before seeding to prepare the soil. A second application is beneficial three to four weeks after seedling establishment to ensure continued soil moisture uniformity. Dispatch Sprayable, Revolution, Zipline and Primer Select are all proven to be safe for use on seedling turf.

Summary of benefits of autumn and winter soil surfactant use

• Firmer, drier pitch surfaces
• Increased success of any overseeding work
• Reduced effect of frost conditions
• Faster, more uniform penetration of any rainfall and/or snowmelt
• Improved surface playability
• Improved soil moisture uniformity

Aquatrols mission

Aquatrols is committed to pioneering new methods that advance soil and plant health for agriculture, turf and horticulture. As autumn and winter weather conditions make the development and retention of high-quality pitches more difficult, the use of surfactant technology can have a critical role to play in optimising turf surface performance at this time of year.

For more information, please contact your local Aquatrols Account Manager.