Wetting Agent [1]

A material that originally used to refer to materials that reduced the surface tension of water, helping to reduce the water-repellent nature of some soils, for example, as occurs in Localised Dry Spot, or Dry Patch. A wetting agent is an example of a surfactant. Not all wetting agents are fully effective surfactants as some cationic surfactants can make some soils more water repellent.

Water infiltration can become more consistent, reducing ponding and this can also help improve the washing in and distribution of dissolved nutrients following the application of a fertiliser.

With ever increasing demands being made on water supplies and with decreasing quantities of available water during the main part of the growing season, the need to retain moisture within a rootzone will be increasingly important for a grounds manager.

The use of a wetting agent, especially on freer draining rootzones, can provide newly sown and germinating grass seeds with an increased likelihood of a successful initial establishment. This can then lead to more rapid development and improve the likelihood of the production of a dense and more extensive ground cover.

Modern wetting agents, available as a liquid or granule, also include categories of material that help retain moisture within a profile and these types of wetting agents are called wetting agent polymers.

Wetting agents can be categorised as either curative, penetrant or residual to better reflect the issue or outcome required from the product.