Turfgrass and soil responses to soil wetting agents

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1999

Abstract

Soil wetting agents are used to improve water infiltration into soil, particularly in turfgrass management. These wetting agents may also have a positive effect on soil microbial activity as well asenhance penetration of water into leaves without causing leaf burn. We evaluated three commercially-available, non-ionic soil wetting agents in terms of effects on turf quality, soil and leaf water content, and soil microbial respiration at different water application rates on bentgrass sod. Effects were evaluated under greenhouse conditions over a period of 22 days. Turf quality was not affected by the appliea-tionof any of the wettingagents tested, regardlessof watering regime. Wetting agents appeared to have no effect on soil moisture. Microbial activity was not significantly affected by any of the wetting agents tested. Watering levels were generally more important in controlling leaf moisture levels than differences in wetting agent applied. It appears that soil wetting agents have little impact on plant and soil moisture content, microbial activity, and turf quality. © 1998 by The Haworth Press, Inc.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Turfgrass Management

Volume

2

Issue

4

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