829 PB 311 WETTING AGENT EFFECTS ON TURF SOIL-WATER REPELLENCY

Abstract

Soil-water repellency is often a problem for turfgrass grown on sand soils. Wetting agents used to alleviate repellency often provide mixed results. We evaluated AquagroL and an experimental material (ACA 864) at 0, 7, 14, and 21ml/m2 applied monthly to tifgreen bermuda grown on a soil-water repellent Margate fine sand over 6 months. Alleviation of repellency was based upon water drop penetration time (WDPT). Wetting agents did not effect turf quality, cover, or discoloration. Wetting agents did not reduce repellency 1 month after initial application. At 2 months, ACA 864 at 21ml/m2 significantly reduced WDPT. With repeat applications, lower rates of ACA 864 provided reductions in WDPT similar to the highest rate of ACA 864, suggesting an additive effect over time. There was a decline in WDPT for all wetting agent treatments, except the control, over time. Repellency decreased with soil depth, and repeat wetting agent application reduced WDPT at lesser depth.