Wetting agents: What are they, and how do they work?

Abstract

Without question, soil wetting agents have become an important management tool for superintendents. The senior author conducted a survey of more than 600 superintendents that showed 87% use wetting agents as part of their regular maintenance program while another 11% use them in certain situations. According to the survey, wetting agents are used for four primary purposes: relieving localized dry spots (42%), managing water (32%), improving drainage (11%) and improving pesticide movement into the soil (9%). In addition, superintendents use wetting agents for a variety of other reasons such as reducing dew and frost formation, improving seed germination, reducing fairy ring damage, reducing soil compaction, improving irrigation efficiency, reducing dust in golf car paths, improving firmness of bunker sand, etc. Little research supports the use of wetting agents in all these scenarios. However, when used in the right situation, a wetting agent can be can an effective management tool. Although superintendents commonly use wetting agents, confusion about what wetting agents are and how they work is widespread. In this article we explain the characteristics of wetting agents and how they work in certain situations. Perhaps, through a better understanding of the chemical nature of wetting agents, superintendents will be able to determine whether a wetting agent will be effective in a given situation.