How can this organic wetting agent be of help during drought periods?
TourTurf® REO contains Sophorolipids which are a class of glycolipids synthesized mainly by yeast species, such as Candida bombicola. Sophorolipids consist of a carbohydrate (Sophorose) attached to a long-chain hydroxyl fatty acid.
Sophorolipids are well-known glycolipid biosurfactants, it reduces the interfacial and surface tension between phases and results in micelle formation. With these features, those biosurfactants can be used as wetting agents. Sophorolipids are an attractive alternative in the agricultural market since they are synthesized from natural sources and have several advantages compared to synthetic surfactants (Cho et al., 2022).
Enhanced soil moisture retention
Increases drought stress tolerance
Reduced dry patch formation
Improved water infiltration
Long-lasting performance
Positive impact on soil microbes
Improved rooting increases water uptake
Fatty acids help break down the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate the soil more easily. This enhances water absorption by plant roots, ensuring adequate hydration even in compacted or water-repellent soils.
By promoting better water distribution in the soil, fatty acids facilitate the movement of essential nutrients to plant roots. This results in improved nutrient uptake, leading to healthier and more vigorous plant growth.
Fatty acids can aid in reducing soil compaction, which can impede root growth and water infiltration. By loosening compacted soil particles, they create a more favourable environment for root growth and overall plant development
Fatty acids help prevent the formation of dry patches in the soil, which can occur due to uneven water distribution. By ensuring uniform moisture levels throughout the root zone, they minimize the risk of stress-induced damage to plants.
Fatty acids can stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial soil microbes, including mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria. These microbes play vital roles in nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall soil health, ultimately benefiting plant growth and vigor.
During our trials, no negative impacts on soil microbial activity could be observed. TourTurf® REO is readily biodegradable in the soil and doesn't contain microplastics.
The positive effect on microbial life was measured in hyphal diameter.
Hyphae networks are formed via symbiotic mycorrhizae fungi relationships with plants. The hyphae are critical in assisting the plant in acquiring nitrogen, phosphorus, micronutrients, and water. We measured hyphal diameter to indicate the health of these mycorrhizae networks.
To learn more about the benefits of mycorrhizae on turf, check this article: The benefits of Mycorrhiza
There can be observed an improved water infiltration time across the season by 87%. During a laboratory trial, using hydrophobic soil with an extremely low soil moisture content, we compared two pots, one treated with TourTurf® Reo, and the other untreated.
Water added to the top of the pots, and time calculated for water to penetrate the pots.
Water penetration over time
The effects become even more obvious when comparing the absorption rate in planting pots.
In a grow room-based trial, a soil treatment of TourTurf® REO at an application rate of 20 L/ha was found to improve plant health through a drought period. This is due to improvements in the distribution of available moisture in the soil and was reflected through increases in mean shoot and root mass in Lolium perenne.
Shoot mass with TourTurf® REO during a drought.
Root mass with TourTurf® REO during drought
The effect can be observed because of the forming of a big rhizosheath mass; this is the part of the soil that physically adheres to the root hairs, helping with a good soil/root connection and improved water exchange.
There was a positive effect on rhizosheath accumulation with treatment application.
Rhizosheath accumulation
Mean Rhizosheath Weight (mg)
A very robust replicated field trial was set up on a sand-based golf green.
What influence does TourTurf® REO have on the amount of water absorbed?
The evaluation showed a reduction in visual drought stress appearance but an increase in water holding capacity through the driest month of the trial.
This was an unirrigated field trial, so the differences are significant.
Soil moisture meter
Mean soil moisture May
Soil moisture one full season
All treatments are lower than the untreated on average.
All treatments are significantly lower than the untreated.
This revolutionary new product is not only a suitable alternative to synthetic wetting agents but also performs as well in reducing drought stress and dry patch on high-quality putting surfaces!