Wetting agents are common tools we use for the purposes of conserving irrigation water and/or managing soil water repellency.

If you manage a field, you know how important it is to keep the grass healthy and green. One way to do this is by using wetting agents. This cost saving yet effective tool helps break the surface tension of water so that it can penetrate the soil more easily. This allows the roots to access more moisture, which is essential for grass growth. In addition, wetting agents can improve drainage and reduce water runoff. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of using wetting agents for fields.

What is a Wetting Agent?

Water is a polar molecule, so it has a positive end and a negative end, much like magnets do. Water molecules are attracted to each other, and it is these forces that cause water droplets to form (hence the term “surface tension”). Surfactants are a class of compounds that reduces this surface tension, which can either be between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. There are different kinds of surfactants, including detergents, wetting agents, and emulsifiers. So, a wetting agent is a surfactant, but not all surfactants are wetting agents. Wetting agents used in turfgrass management are a class of surfactants that reduce the surface tension of liquids, helping them to disperse, penetrate and percolate into soil.

Improved Moisture Access for Roots

As we mentioned, one of the main benefits of using wetting agents is that they help break the surface tension of water. This allows the roots to access more moisture, which is essential for growth. When roots have access to more moisture, they’re able to absorb more nutrients from the soil, leading to healthier plants with deeper rooted systems.

Improved Drainage and Reduced Runoff

Wetting agents can also improve drainage and reduce water runoff. This is because they help break up compacted soil and allow water to seep through more easily. In addition, wetting agents can improve air circulation in the soil, which helps reduce conditions that lead to fungal growth. Clearly, the benefits of using wetting agents are unmatched. In addition to improving the health of your grass, they’re environmentally friendly and better for your budget. Contact Ecofert today to begin your field revolution.

EcoFert clients, which include municipalities, school districts and cemeteries, are throughout the State of California.  Not only can the company design and install a fertigation injection system, but also offer a specialized Program of soil amendments and field consulting that will enhance any large field.  

To learn how EcoFert can enhance your fields and save you money, contact Lou Franson at (714) 931-9055 or at [email protected].