Building the Ideal Wetting Agent Programme
Indigrow’s Magnum range of wetting agents has been formulated to work in conjunction with one another to provide a complete solution for the turf manager. Our Magnum wetting agents also take on a further role in water management. By helping to improve water conservation, particularly during periods of drought, our wetting agents can help to maintain or improve turf health and quality.
Indigrow have developed two products, Magnum 357 Calibre and Magnum CO, which work in partnership for greatest effect.
Magnum 357 Calibre – Triple Action Penetrant
Our most recent and advanced formulation wetting agent is Magnum 357 Calibre.
Magnum 357 Calibre is a blend of non-ionic surfactants and contains 100% active ingredients. With three active ingredients and three modes of action, this 100% biodegradable product is ideal to maintain the correct balance of water in the soil profile.
The three active ingredients are:
- A glycol based ingredient which spreads across surface of turf
- A block co-polymer which aids water penetration
- A reverse block co-polymer which helps balance water within the rootzone
This triple action wetting agent combines three different surfactant technologies to provide:
- Even spreading of water over the turf surface
- Efficient water penetration through advanced penetrant technologies
- Improved water holding capacity through the use of reverse block co-polymers
Tried and tested spreading agents ensure that the applied spray is evenly distributed across the surface of the turf and at the same time aids in penetration into the rootzone. Improvements in penetration are significant when compared to untreated soils and Magnum 357 performs favourable to other products even at relatively low application rates.
By using wetting agents such as Magnum 357 Calibre, the amount of irrigation or rain water require to bring rootzones back to acceptable moisture contents is greatly reduced. Typically there is a saving in water of 30 – 40 %.
Improving Water Penetration
Tried and tested spreading agents ensure that the applied spray is evenly distributed across the surface of the turf and at the same time aids in penetration into the rootzone. Improvements in penetration are significant when compared to untreated soils and Magnum 357 performs favourable to other products even at relatively low rates.
How effective are they?
By using wetting agents such as Magnum 357 Calibre, the amount of irrigation or rain water required to bring rootzones back to acceptable moisture contents is greatly reduced. Typically there is a saving in water of 30 – 40 %.
Magnum CO – Curative
Magnum CO contains an organic acid designed to clean the sand particle and flush unwanted waxes, hydrocarbons, bicarbonate salts and minerals through the soil profile. Waxy organic layers on soil particles shed water and do not allow water to hold in rootzone. Poor water infiltration caused by hydrophobic waxes, fats or other organic debris that form water repellent “coatings” on soil or sand particles. Magnum CO contains a cleansing agent which solublises the waxy deposits and flushes them away.
Once the sand particles have been ‘cleaned’, it’s important not to allow these hydrophobic waxes, fats or other organic debris from building up again.
The Ideal Targeted Wetting Agent Programme
Wetting agent programmes are essential in achieving a reduction in dry patch and fairy ring outbreaks. By alternating curative (Magnum CO) and preventative (Magnum 357 Calibre) products, the waxy coating covering soil and sand particles is broken down. This process also helps with the re-wetting of the soil profile. This approach helps to eradicate plant stress, providing a more consistent playing surface.
Applying the two products, Magnum 357 Calibre and Mangum CO in a targeted wetting agent programme will offer the most effective results against dry patch and other water-related turf management issues. Our recommended programme, based on a European climate is below:
More information on our research and trials work on this subject are available on request. Please contact us on: growth@indigrow.com
