Localized dry spot present in bentgrass
The soil particles in these localized dry spot areas become hydrophobic (incapable of accepting/absorbing water and re-hydrating) because of an organic coating that becomes present on the soil particles. Localized dry spot has become a larger problem over the last 20-30 years as golf maintenance practices have changed. Previously golf courses used more water (saturating the surface more consistently) and did not prepare the playing surfaces as aggressively as we do now. Once the push came to use less water and to dry down the surface to produce much firmer and faster conditions, along with sand based construction becoming the norm the industry, we then saw localized dry spot become a more common issue. Excessive thatch can become hydrophobic as well which can lead to the water never getting into the soil because of the water droplets never being allowed to absorb below the surface due to the thatch layer.
Aeration has been proven to help lessen the effects of localized dry spots. Aeration can help to relieve compaction in the soil that reduces water/air infiltration and it will also help to remove thatch that can prevent the water from entering the soil. Aeration will create channels in the soil that will most importantly allow water to enter the soil and enter deeper into the rootzone by the act of cultivating the surface. This will make overhead irrigation and hand watering practices more effective.
The most effective tool for dealing with localized dry spot is the use of wetting agents. Wetting agents help alter the soil to allow it to accept water and then allow for continual re-wetting of the rootzone. Wetting agents allow water to spread across the surface and penetrate into the soil by lowering the surface tension of the liquid. There are many different types of wetting agents available though so be sure to understand and choose the technology that fits your specific golf course and location needs. Are you simply just looking to rewet the soil that will not accept water where dry spots have occurred, are you looking to improve the efficiency of the water you apply to allow you to use less water, are you looking for a penetrant to move water through the profile, are you wanting a wetting agent to soften the surface or to firm up the surface, etc. All of these questions should be asked before choosing your wetting agent to allow the right product to be purchased from your supplier, so be sure to ask yourself and your supplier these questions to ensure you are using the best product for your needs!
Turf Fuel has many different wetting agent/surfactant options available for the consumer to choose from. Vanquish Plus contains three different polymers that aid in soil penetration, hydration and rehydration. Vanquish is the perfect treatment and recovery aid for dealing with localized dry spot and drought conditions. Vanquish will provide uniform hydration across the rootzone.
Kraken Plus is a 30 day dry spot/drought preventative wetting agent. It contains capped polymers and is completed by a unique solvent technology. This product will provide unmatched tournament like, firm and fast, playing conditions.
Distance Plus is a multiple branching polymer that is designed to provide long term (up to 120 day) protection against dry spot and drought conditions. This product is perfect for tee box, fairway, approaches, driving range and slope/traffic locations.
Cleanse Plus is a solvent surfactant product that will improve water penetration and reduce hydrophobic organic materials that coat soil particles. By removing and reducing these organic materials this is the perfect clean-up product to reduce hydrophobic and localized dry spot conditions.
Turf Fuel is committed to developing products that are not like any other on the market and finding solutions to the problems that have been plaguing turf managers for years. They are committed to always improving the already great products they currently have. Turf Fuel has solutions available from the most simple aspects of nitrogen nutrition to the much more complicated solutions that you have been looking for such as stress management.
