11/29/2022 - By Dr. Raymond Snyder

Wetting agents are generally used to alleviate undesirable soil conditions such as water repellency, preferential flow, and slow water infiltration. Improving these undesirable conditions helps turf managers utilize water resources more efficiently and economically.

Since water is one of the key ingredients in plant life, health is often improved by increasing access to water. Plus, the visual quality of a playing surface is improved by promoting greater water uniformity throughout the root zone.

Benefits of Turf Wetting Agents

The direct effect of turf wetting agents on plant health is often associated with improved visual color and quality, coupled with a reduction in localized dry spot occurrence.

The below-ground plant health response of wetting agent applications is not often observed or quantified when wetting agent research is conducted. Coupling above and below-ground responses might help to provide increased awareness of the agronomic value of turf wetting agent applications.

Harrell’s HydroMAX® Fleet®100 Research on Creeping Bentgrass

During the Summer of 2022, we conducted a study with Xunzhong Zhang, Ph.D. at Virginia Tech University, to evaluate the effect of Harrell's HydroMAX® Fleet®100  on turf quality, physiological fitness, and root growth during summer stress.

The field study was carried out on a creeping bentgrass putting green at the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Center in Blacksburg, VA.

-          Two of the treatments were a fertilized control and Fleet®100 wetting agent applied at 5 fl oz/1000 sq ft/month.

-          All treatments received the same fertility input (0.15 lb N/1000 sq ft biweekly).

-          A total of three treatment applications were made during the 12-week study, which occurred from June 8, 2022 to August 31, 2022.

-          Irrigation was applied after application at about 0.125” and up to 0.25” water without puddling.

-          Measurements were taken at 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 days after initial treatment.

-          Finally, two dry-down cycles occurred (June 21-30, 2022 and July 11-20, 2022).

Harrell’s HydroMAX® Fleet®100 Wetting Agent Research Findings

Below is a rundown of what we found through the 12-week study:

Turf Quality

Foliar application of Fleet®100 wetting agent improved turf quality beginning 22 days after initial application (June 30) until the end of the trial.

Leaf Color

Fleet®100 wetting agent improved leaf color ratings relative to the control as measured on June 22 through August 31.

Leaf Chlorophyll and Proline

Fleet®100 wetting agent increased leaf chlorophyll content when compared to the control as measured from July 6 through August 31.

Root Biomass, Characteristics, and Viability

Harrell’s HydroMAX® Fleet®100 wetting agent increased root biomass relative to the control and improved root viability.

Harrell’s HydroMAX® Fleet®100 Improves Turf Quality & More

In summary, monthly application of Harrell’s Fleet®100 wetting agent at 5 fl oz/1000 ft² improved turf quality, leaf color ratings, chlorophyll content, root biomass, and root viability in creeping bentgrass putting greens, beginning about 3 weeks after initial treatment.

We work hard to bring you the most thoroughly researched solutions to tough turf problems and to find new ways products can be used to help you in the day-to-day.

Your local Harrell's rep is here to help. If you have any questions about the products mentioned or how they can be used to build your Balanced Approach program, let us know.