Wetting
GOLF is one of the most popular turf grass sports and caters for a wide age group with both male and female players. According to Beard (2002), “Others have described the game as fascinating, exasperating, aggravating, bewitching, and madness. Nevertheless, all those who have permitted themselves to become so entranced admit to its absorbing science. It is truly the sport of a lifetime”. Golf courses range from multi-million pound constructions, with high membership fees and large maintenance budgets, to cheaply constructed pay and play courses that are relatively inexpensive to play and are maintained on small budgets. Maintenance budgets above all else are a limiting factor in course presentation. Increasing expectation from players and club members creates increasing pressure on Course Managers to produce healthy, even and
Most clubs have irrigation
on greens as normal cutting heights of 5mm and below restricts root depth and therefore available water to the plant however many do not possess fairway irrigation. It is therefore crucial that during the summer the effect of any natural rainfall on the turf is maximised. Templeton (1988) found that “only 30%- 70% of applied water, whether natural or through irrigation, actually becomes root zone moisture and that wetting agents which modify the cohesion of water, can greatly increase moisture penetration in certain soils”. It is important to present the course in a visually pleasing manner, as players will view this as a sign of
quality. This can keep members contented and encourage paying visitors. Carey and Gunn (1999) state that after wetting agent application there were “trends that indicate that treated plots were generally darker and greener than the control, and that treatments which scored better on quality and uniformity also were darker and greener”. The majority of similar studies have been undertaken in the USA. Emmons (2000) lists some of the benefits from using a wetting agent during the summer as, rapid water penetration into the soil, a more uniform wetting of the root zone, increased infiltration into hard-to-wet soils and water conservation. According to Christians (2004), “every attempt should be made to use this resource in the most efficient way possible”.
AGENTS
aesthetically pleasing surfaces year round almost regardless of the weather.
The role of wetting agent in water management
As turf starts to dry, the dead and decomposing organic material within the litter and rhizosphere of the turf can become hydrophobic. A result of this is that rates of infiltration of irrigation and rainfall can decline, with a corresponding increase in surface ponding and run-off. This water can then be lost to the turf by evaporation or run-off direct into a water course. According to Beard (2002), “plant growth slows, plant tissues wilt and death will eventually occur if the water deficit continues”. An application of a wetting agent can increase infiltration rates by reducing the hydrophobic effect of decomposing organic matter in the turf. Emmons (2000) states, “The primary use of
Figure 1. Soil particle coated with an organic water repellent coating. (Karnok, Kang and Tucker 2004)
Water consists of two hydrogen atoms (positively charged) and one oxygen atom (negatively charged) and is therefore dipolar with both positive and negative polar ends. Polar molecules cannot bond with nonpolar molecules therefore soils and organic material affected by the nonpolar hydrophobic molecules cannot be wetted. Wetting agents are designed to have both polar and nonpolar ends so have an affinity for polar as well as nonpolar substances, this then forms the bond between the two allowing the turf or soil to wet. Figure 2.
wetting agents is on hydrophobic turf. Their use helps water to infiltrate hard- to-wet soils. When wetting agents are present, water penetrates rapidly into the soil giving a more uniform wetting of the rootzone. Wetting agents can therefore maximize the beneficial effect of rainfall or irrigation on turf ”.
The chemistry of wetting agents and how they react with soil water
As organic material becomes hydrophobic or the soil particles are coated in an organic coating they can become water repellent. This water repellent coating is nonpolar
Figure 2. Soil particle with a water repellent coating after treatment with a wetting agent. (Karnok,Kang and Tucker 2004)
All golf clubs want to present their courses in good condition. It is critical for the financial security of the club that their members renew their membership and that visitors will want to pay and play. It is therefore, very important that the golfers view the golf course as of being high quality. Budgets play a large part in the maintenance of the golf course, some clubs with smaller budgets view the purchase of wetting agents as an expensive luxury. However, wetting agents can be a tool for the Course Manager to use in the maintaining of turf quality. The use of wetting agents on golf courses in the UK is varied. Some clubs with large budgets use wetting agents on all their major turf areas, whilst clubs with smaller budgets will refrain from using them or tend to target critical areas such as the greens and tees.
It is well documented that the maximum benefit is gained from applying a wetting agent to turf that suffers from periodic drought stress. Therefore applying a wetting agent to turf that may suffer from hydrophobic conditions should help maintain turf health.
Colin Robinson LCGI, MSc. Course Manager, John O Gaunt Golf Club
It is important to present the course in a visually pleasing manner, as players will view this as a sign of quality
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