Effect of H2Pro Wetting Agents on Crop Growth and Physiology

1. Extensive experimental work demonstrated that using H2Pro TriSmart or AquaSmart would significantly increase soil water potential and base water potential (A & B). The application of wetting agent adjusted the physical status of the water in the soil, by lowering surface tension forces, so made it easier for plant roots to extract.

2. The experimental work demonstrated a significant increase in plant ‘rhizosheath’ following applications of H2Pro TriSmart and AquaSmart (C). The rhizosheath is the volume of soil intimately associated with the plant roots and root hairs. Increasing the rhizosheath soil, could be an additional mechanism by which the wetting agents could be influencing plant water uptake – especially in a drying soil situations, maintaining higher water VMC closer to the roots.

3. A final experiment on wheat and barley demonstrated a significant increase in dry shoot biomass following applications of H2Pro AquaSmart (D). This would indicate the plant is better able to access nutrient resources following wetting agent application, however, no significant increase in tissue N, P or K content was measured.

Conclusion

This PhD represents the most extensive assessment of above ground plant physiology factors in relation to application of surfactants that has been conducted to date. Applications of H2Pro wetting agents led to some significant changes in water availability and plant water status, this could be especially important in drying soil situations.

Publication
Giannakopoulos, V, Puertolas, J, Owen, A & Dodd, I.C. 2020. Applying surfactants decrease turf water use under high evaporative demands in glasshouse conditions. 7th ETS Conference Proceedings, Turf solutions for the future. 28-29.