What is a Wetting Agent? By definition, any
substance which reduces the surface tension and increases the
spreading or penetrating ability of a liquid over a surface. Wetting
agents are also called Surfactants or surface acting agents.
Wetting agents help allow water to penetrate the soil more evenly.
How? It is really very simple. The wetting agent modifies the
surface tension of the water molecule. If you put a drop of water
on a surface, it forms a dome. The water is hydrophylic or water-loving.
It is difficult to get the water to separate into smaller droplets.
By adding a wetting agent to the water, the water now will not
form a dome. It tries to get as flat as possible, spreading out
in all directions.
These and other conditions can result in the
inability of a soil system to absorb moisture uniformly. Hydrophobic
soils can develop wettability problems in a short period of time
or gradually become increasingly water-resistant. When these conditions
occur, untreated water penetrates slowly. The result can be runoff
in some areas and ponding in other.
Independent, university-based research studies have shown that
a wetting agent can transform a water-repellent soil into a wettable
soil and that regular wetting agent applications can prevent hydrophobic
soil conditions from developing. These studies also indicate that
a wetting agent can positively affect plant growth by promoting
even moisture distribution into and through a soil system, enhancing
the supply of nutrients and oxygen.
For over two decades, Naiad has been used by grounds care professionals
and farmers all across the country. No other wetting agent can
match Naiad's performance. Economical. Safe. Effective. Naiad's
unique blend of non ionic and anionic wetting agents work together
to create a controlled wetting front which has the power to quickly
saturate the surface layers of a soil system.
Today, knowledgeable grounds care professionals include Naiad
in their water management program. They prefer Naiad because it's
the one formula that does it all - and does more with less.
Over the years, Naiad has earned a reputation for pioneering new
products, processes and technologies that set the standards. We
are proud of these accomplishments, but never satisfied. At Naiad,
today's innovations serve as the foundation for an even more useful
idea tomorrow.
Hilly Terrain: Rolling terrain can create interesting landscapes-and grounds maintenance headaches. Because untreated soil on sloping ground simply can't absorb water fast enough, much of it runs off and collects in low-lying areas. The resulting drought stress and ponding creates the perfect environment for disease. Changes in irrigation technique alone can't solve the problem. That's why making Naiad a regular part of your water management program is so important. Applying Naiad on a regular basis assures uniform moisture distribution..even on mounds, hillsides and other hard-to-wet areas
Surface Water-Resistant Layer Frequently, water repellent soil conditions occur at the surface of the soil profile, and research has shown that plants themselves can be the culprit. Decomposition of organic material produces a hydrophobic substance that clings to soil particles and organic material. Water treated with Naiad quickly penetrates this water-repellent barrier, thoroughly saturating soil particles.
Subsurface Hydrophobic Layer Surface soil can appear moist and yet turf and other plantings can show signs of drought stress caused by a hydrophobic subsurface strata. When water reaches this soil, it begins to flow laterally. The unique blend of anionic and non ionic surfactants gives Naiad the superior wetting ability needed to penetrate subsurface layers of hydrophobic soil.
Stratified Soil
Abrupt changes in texture are often found in stratified soils. Without Naiad, the wetting front has greater difficulty moving uniformly from strata to strata. As a result, water typically follows the course of least resistance, flowing through naturally-occurring channels and leaving behind large patches of dry soil.