Page 18 - GM Spring 2023

hydrophobic soil particles in the root zone. Imagine an arm attached to a hydrophobic soil particle that reaches out grabbing and holding onto water. This capability promotes a better balance between water and air in the root zone and helps to minimize the negative impact of hydrophobic soils. That being said, a capped block copolymer doesn’t’t fix the hydrophobic soil, it simply helps your turf exist in that environment.
FIXING LDS
Fixing is the goal, however sometimes the process is better described as combatting. LDS is caused by hydrophobic organic acid coatings on soil/sand particles. The best way to remediate areas of LDS is with solvent-based technology where a powerful solvent works to remove the hydrophobic coating. In some situations, a single application is extremely helpful and in others, multiple applications are needed. The important thing to know here is this technology does exist, has been university tested, and is readily available from multiple manufacturers.
BRANCHED POLYMERS
A branched polymer differs from the linear polymers that we have discussed thus far in that it is significantly larger and has multiple branches vs being a straight chain. The size and configuration of branched polymers give them unique performance attributes. The life expectancy of a polymer in a root zone has a lot to do with how quickly it will be broken down by microorganisms.
Branched polymers have a considerably longer life expectancy because it takes a lot longer to break them down due to their high molecular weight and their sturdiness in the root zone with multiple spots of connectivity to the soil. These types of molecules are great for applications lasting up to several months.
WETTING AGENT SUMMARY
The key to a successful wetting agent strategy is fully understanding the characteristics and expectations of the area to be treated and matching
those criteria with a product with appropriate performance capabilities. Once you have decided upon a product the highest level of success will be found by implementing your strategy before plant stress occurs. Below are some potential key questions to answer before selecting a wetting agent product:
1. Do you want to water the wetting agent in after application or have the ability to let it dry on the leaf blade?
2. How frequently do you want to make applications of this product?
3. Are you battling LDS or just looking to make irrigation cycles more effective?
4. Are there physical or chemical barriers present in your root zone that could impact product performance?
5. Will you be tank-mixing this product?
Reviewing these and other key questions with peers, researchers, and qualified product representatives will greatly increase your probability of matching expectations with product performance.
FOLIAR ADJUVANTS
A foliar adjuvant is a multi-purpose material that improves the chemical and physical characteristics of water to enhance the efficacy of whatever active ingredient is being applied. As it turns out, water is not a very good carrier. Water droplets are highly subject to drift; they do not stick to surfaces very well and oftentimes have a pH that is not very active ingredient friendly.
The concept of adding a foliar adjuvant is based on improving the performance of the chemicals being applied and saving money. Efficacy improvements can be found with less drift, better adhesion to leaf blades, better tank compatibility, and safeguarding active ingredients from chemical degradation. Adjuvants create financial advantages by allowing operators to use less active
ingredient with higher efficacy, have less environmental loss, and mitigate costly tank compatibility issues that result in wasted labour cleaning equipment or the need for additional applications due to product failure. As important as foliar adjuvants are, they are often overlooked or forgotten about. When choosing a foliar adjuvant the best rule of thumb is to treat your biggest issue first.
For example, if you have very high pH water (maybe upwards of 7.5- 8.0) choosing a foliar adjuvant with pH buffering capabilities should be a high priority. If you operate on a windy sight or near environmentally sensitive areas, a foliar adjuvant with drift retardant capabilities would be a good fit. You may be battling multiple factors that could negatively impact your spray applications. For this situation, there are foliar adjuvants with multiple modes of action including drift control, pH buffering, deposition aids, rain fastness, and uptake aids.
LOTS OF OPTIONS TO MEET YOUR NEEDS
In closing, today’s market has an array of highly effective products to help manage the balance between water and air in the root zone, remediate the cause of localized dry spots, reduce dew, improve infiltration, and help you make the most of whatever active ingredient you are applying. There are lots of high-quality resources available to help guide you when deciding on a wetting agent or foliar adjuvant to fit your specific needs. GM
18 • CGSA • GreenMaster