Wetting agent longevity trial findings

The value of values

The ICL technical values are very simple.  We aim to provide products that perform, we make claims based on research and we try to be progressive with our advice and conscious of our impact.

We believe that if we live up to these values then we will be successful as an organisation and we will play an important role in the development of our industry.  At the very heart of these values is the investment in robust trial work.

Internal trial programme

ICL employ trained scientists to conduct and oversee internal and external trial work. An example of internal trial work would be the wetting agent field trials conducted in North West England in 2023 by Dr Richard Collins.

This work revealed that applying TriSmart bi-monthly at double the standard rate was just as effective as using monthly standard rate applications.

This is an important finding because it allows us to advise course managers that they can continue to achieve excellent results with a bi-monthly approach while conserving resources.

What is TriSmart?

H2Pro TriSmart is a premium wetting agent that is designed to optimise moisture management in turfgrass rootzones.

It combines three surfactant types to ensure effective water infiltration, retention and distribution through the rootzone. By improving water availability, TriSmart has also been shown to enhance plant health by improving nutrient uptake.

TriSmart also optimises water conservation and helps prevent the development of localised dry spot. These powerful attributes make TriSmart an ideal choice for areas like golf course fairways and tees (as well as greens), where consistent moisture availability and retention is crucial for maintaining turf quality during dry summer months.

Trial Set Up

The 2023 trial work’s primary objective was to evaluate the performance of H2Pro TriSmart when applied bi-monthly at a double rate (20 L/ha in 700 L/ha water) compared to the standard rate monthly programme (10 L/ha in 700 L/ha water).

The study was conducted on fescue-dominated turf typical of tees or fairways on a links golf course. A randomised-block design was implemented using 1m x 1m plots, with assessments conducted fortnightly to evaluate turf quality and rootzone moisture content.

The use of a randomised-block design helped to mitigate any potential variability in the data, ensuring that the findings were robust and reliable.

Results

The trial’s results were compelling. Both the monthly and bi-monthly applications of H2Pro TriSmart significantly improved the visual quality of the turf by maintaining higher rootzone moisture content than the untreated controls during dry summer conditions.

Interestingly, the study found no discernible difference between the monthly and bi-monthly schedules in terms of turf quality or soil moisture content.

This showed that both approaches are effective when managing turf through dry conditions. However, the bi-monthly program stands out for its potential to drastically cut down on resource usage, including fuel, labour and water (both during and after application, if irrigation was required) thereby offering considerable savings for golf clubs.

This would also contribute to a lower carbon footprint, aligning with broader environmental sustainability goals.

Practical Implications

The findings of this study have significant practical implications for course managers.

By adopting the H2Pro TriSmart bi-monthly application schedule, course managers can achieve the same high standards of turf quality while reducing the frequency of applications and the level of resource use. Moreover, the bi-monthly application schedule can help to minimise the disruption to the golf course caused by regular maintenance activities.

Fewer applications mean less frequent interruptions to play, enhancing the experience for golfers.

Conclusion

This study shows the impetus that results from having progressive technical values.

This trial demonstrated that bi-monthly applications of H2Pro TriSmart at double the standard rate can help  effectively maintain turf quality during dry summer weather and also reduce resource consumption. This approach not only reduces our environmental impact but also enhances the operational efficiency of golf course management, providing a win-win solution for greenkeepers and golfers.

Above all else, this work shows H2Pro TriSmart to be an extremely powerful performer in the important area of water management, which is something that we would all value.