Turf trial report

An independent trial at the University of Arkansas demonstrated the value of using H2Pro TriSmart surfactant in a summer wetting agent program on golf greens. Localized dry spot levels reached greater than 80% in control plots, and rootzone moisture content steadily declined as the summer progressed. In the test group, H2Pro TriSmart significantly reduced LDS to a mean of only 5.6% and retained significantly more rootzone moisture through the same critical period.

Treatment application using a spray shield.

Summary

• Independent trial completed at Arkansas University (Professor Doug Karcher)
• Test performed on Agrostis stolonifera sand-based golf green
• H2Pro TriSmart applied initially at 7.85 fl. oz./1,000 sq. ft., followed by three repeat applications at 3.14 fl. oz./1,000 sq. ft., significantly reduced localized dry spot over a control and other surfactant applications
• Turf quality assessments for TriSmart-treated plots were significantly greater (P<0.05) than other treatments
• H2Pro TriSmart increased rootzone VMC% over the control at 0-3 cm. and at 0-7 cm.

Effect of wetting agent treatment on localized dry spot. Error bar indicates least significant difference value for separating treatment means within dates. Asterisks indicate dates when significant differences were present among treatments.

Methods

An independent summer wetting agent trial was conducted at the University of Arkansas under the guidance of Professor Doug Karcher. The trial used an Agrostis stolonifera sward over a sand-based rootzone maintained as golf green turf. Nine existing and experimental wetting agents were applied in a randomized block trial design with four replications. Wetting agents were applied at a range of rates at 28-day intervals from June to September, with four applications each. H2Pro TriSmart was applied at 7.85 fl. oz./1,000 sq. ft. in 185 gallons of water initially, followed by 3 applications at 3.14 fl. oz./1,000 sq. ft. Standard assessments were made monthly (localized dry spot percentage, turf quality, turf color, and moisture content).

Effect of wetting agent treatment on average volumetric water content at the 0-3 cm. depth. Error bar indicates least significant difference value for separating treatment means within dates.

Results

Localized dry spot (LDS) pressure increased during the trial to reach a mean greater than 80% of the control plots affected. H2Pro TriSmart-treated plots significantly reduced LDS (P<0.01), with a mean of less than 5% of plots affected. The remaining wetting agent treatments demonstrated a range of LDS reduction, but none as great as H2Pro TriSmart.

Drone image illustrating the extent of LDS across the trial area at the end of the summer.

Visual turf quality assessments were aligned with LDS development, with H2Pro TriSmart showing significantly better turf quality than the control and other treatments. Mean rootzone volumetric moisture content was significantly greater following applications of H2Pro TriSmart than in control plots for the last two assessments when summer temperatures increased and plant stress levels were elevated.