It’s common to see products such as herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides developed for agriculture, then tested and adapted for use on turf. Soil water management technology such as wetting agents, however, are typically created with turf in mind and then adapted to agriculture. Why? Turf landscapes, especially golf course putting greens, experience water repellency more consistently and severely, causing dry patches and inconsistency that significantly impact the game and aesthetics of course. While soil water management is a pressing concern in turf, it is just as important in agriculture.
The end goals may be different, but there are many shared agronomic concepts and values between turf and agriculture like soil water management, pesticide and fertilizer applications, soil testing, and other strategies to optimize plant and soil health.
In large-acre agriculture operations, watering is based on the average of what a crop needs, unlike in turf management where dry areas can be targeted with sprinklers or manual irrigation. The fewer acres and higher value in aesthetics has led to more flexible usage of water. The technology in turf moisture management is where these two worlds collide. While irrigation may be used in ag operations, getting the appropriate amount across a field without interfering with farming practices can be a challenge. Soil water management technology can be worked into existing applications to even out moisture across fields without interference.
It is important to keep in mind that all plants, agricultural or turf, require the same four basic factors to grow.
Since water is one of these factors, it’s no surprise that soil water management strategies play a big role in maintaining plants in both agriculture and turf industries. Soil water management is all about getting water to the root zone, spreading it uniformly across a field, and retaining moisture where it’s available to the crop. Since water carries nutrients, when water is readily available, nutrients uptake becomes easier for the crop as well. This enhanced water and nutrient utilization reduces the chance of leaching loss and maximizes the roots’ potential to absorb nutrients, increasing both soil health and crop health. Soil water management technology such as agricultural wetting agents and soil surfactants are great tools for managing soil water.
Dryness and hydrophobicity or water-repellant soil are challenges facing both agriculture and turf industries. Left: Dry, cracking soil in a cornfield. Right: Water bead struggling to penetrate hydrophobic turf.
One of the biggest challenges facing turf managers is dry soil becoming hydrophobic or water-repellant. While it may not be as well-known in an agricultural field, water-repellant soils can easily occur in agriculture, too. As water flows through a soil profile, the soil may be repelled at different points across the profile. Water may flow through to lower areas where it’s unavailable or requires extra energy from the crop to take up the water. This can limit nutrient uptake and create plant stress with or without visual symptoms of wilt. Utilizing soil water management technology can impact crop performance, especially in long stretches without rain or dry years.
Getting water into the soil is key to effectively managing soil water. Agricultural wetting agents help water penetrate water-repellant soil and distribute moisture uniformly. Based on our strong foundation in turf, Exacto’s agricultural wetting agent portfolio contains wetting agents suitable for different crops and soils.
If the main concern is to ensure that in-season applied nutrients get into the crop, Exacto also has several fertilizer-compatible wetting agents. This allows for one easy application of liquid fertilizer and wetting agents.
Wetting agents can be handy for getting moisture into the soil, but to fully maximize water usage, it’s important to keep water available for the plant as long as possible. AquiMax is a unique, patented moisture management technology that not only gets water into the soil and distributes it uniformly, but also holds moisture where it needs to be. Keeping water in the soil near the root zone prevents leaching and keeps nutrients where they are easily accessible to crops.
View the video below to see how AquiMax’s patented moisture-holding capabilities compare to other soil water management technologies.
Like many other agronomic areas, managing agricultural soil water is all about choosing the right technology for your situation. Factors such as soil type, tillage, and crop type impact moisture distribution and loss.
Soil cracking along a corn row in a no-till bean field
It’s important to understand there is no silver bullet that works for everything, and this is why multiple technologies are available. Using the right technology can reduce the amount of water applied to achieve a full yield and can improve overall quality of what is harvested. There are other variables to consider, but that is why talking with an expert is essential. Talk with local crop advisors to help determine what technology is best for the crop, growing environment, and cultural practices. If a crop advisor needs more information on moisture management options, let’s connect so that we can educate about the technologies available and help access new technologies that can benefit the field, the environment, and yield. These moisture management technologies have been proven in turf and are now available to make a difference in agriculture!
Surfactants are widely used across the world – in fact, you probably use surfactants every day in soaps, detergents, toothpaste, cosmetics, and countless other applications. Surfactants are just as important in agriculture and turf and understanding how and when to use the right surfactant can make or break a successful application.
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Cutting-edge discussions on golf course maintenance, including adjuvants and wetting agents, took place at the 2024 GCSAA Conference. The Exacto team was in full swing, bringing spray adjuvants, wetting agents, and innovative formulations to the table.
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Listen in as Brad DeBels, a prominent figure in the turf industry and the President of the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association, discusses current turf challenges, provides insight on the increasing value of turf, and shares his perspectives on the future of the green industry.
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