A common question we are asked is what is the best Wetting Agent for grass? The use of soil-wetting agents to simply reduce surface tension and aid water movement is becoming a thing of the past. Soil-wetting agents now do a lot more than just wetting soil. Now there is an entirely new generation of soil surfactants on the market. These offer more traditional benefits coupled with significant plant health effects. This rapidly evolving market is being led by the guys at Rhizosolutions® with Hydroforce® Ultra.

Hydroforce® Ultra is an innovative new soil wetting agent that provides a rapid response soil, consistent soil dry down, and superior rehydration. The unique combination of infiltration and rehydration properties means Hydroforce® Ultra helps ensure consistent hydration as well as providing superior rehydration.

When used as per the label directions Hydroforce® Ultra will significantly improve turfgrass quality and stress resistance coupled with up to a 30% increase in root mass.

Independent trials prove it is the best wetting agent.

The following is some new trial work carried out on cool-season bent/Poa annua fairways. Hydroforce® Ultra was trialled against Dispatch (Aquatrols) and an untreated control. Hydroforce® Ultra consistently:

• Improves and maintains turf quality
• Maintains higher volumetric moisture contents (VMC %) when applied at label rates.

The video below shows the outstanding performance of Hydroforce® Ultra on a golf course fairway in the UK. I’ll let you figure out which half of the fairway has been treated!

Being the best wetting agent means Hydroforce® Ultra gives great results on greens.

This next 2021 study is from the USA on a mixed Poa/bentgrass green. The green comprised V8 bentgrass. Hydroforce® Ultra was applied at 13L/Ha compared to Pervade® (Floratine) applied at 6.4L/Ha. Results show:

• Significantly less localised dry spot than either the Pervade® treatment or untreated control;
• More consistent volumetric moisture capacity (VMC%)
• An approximately 30% increase in root mass and
• A massive reduction in the need to hand water.

The following video is from Ludlow GC in the UK and shows just how rapidly water penetrates the root zone following the application. In the UK it is marketed as Prowet Evolve®.

Improving turf nematode control.

A study looked at nematode control in couch grass. Treatments were a mixture of the nematicide abamectin and wetting agent Hydroforce® Ultra, abamectin by itself, and Hydroforce® Ultra by itself. The combination of Hydroforce® Ultra and abamectin provided the best treatment. However, Hydroforce® Ultra as a stand-alone treatment gave better turf quality than the nematocide by itself. “It’s allowing the water to be used more efficiently in a more uniform distribution, deeper in the soil profile.”