2. Irrigation Efficiency
in Turfgrass Systems
Water use efficiency and conservation are essential
for sustainable turfgrass management.
The slightest water deficits can
impact turf health, appearance, and
performance.
Excessive irrigation can be equally
detrimental leading to increased
erosion, run-off, nutrient leaching,
disease susceptibility, and resource
costs.
3. Irrigation Efficiency
in Turfgrass Systems
Achieved when turf being irrigated uses most
of the water applied by irrigation systems.
Dependent on:
1. water being applied as uniformly as possible
2. water being applied in proper amounts at
appropriate time intervals
source
4. Irrigation Efficiency
Benefits
• Improved appearance
• Better playing conditions (golf, sports fields)
• Reduced water use
• Reduced runoff and leaching
• Reduced agrochemical usage
• Reduced pump operation, energy, and
maintenance costs
source
5. Mechanical Advances Are Essential
Allow growers to Unable to control delivery
control timing, of applied water below the
duration, and surface and into the root
uniformity of water zone, where many
applied to the plant agronomic and economic
and soil surface. benefits are realized.
6. The Impact of Impervious Land Cover*
Natural Ground Cover 10-20% Impervious Surface
10% Runoff 20% Runoff
35-50% Impervious Surface 75-100% Impervious Surface
55% Runoff
30% Runoff
*roads, parking lots, sidewalks, roof tops, patios, etc.
9. Water Droplet Interaction
with the Land Surface
air
air
water
water
land surface land surface
contact angle <90° 90° or greater
infiltration no infiltration
influenced biochemically by oils and waxes from
plants, microbes, agrochemical residue, pollutants, etc.
13. Organic Chemistry of Esters
Esterification:
O O
R—C—OH + R’—OH R—C—O—R’ + H2O
ACID ALCOHOL ESTER
Carboxylic acid derivatives in which hydroxyl group
(-OH) is replaced by an alkoxy group (-OR)
14. Synthesis of Alkyl Polyglucosides
OH
O
OH
OH OH HO H+
OH +
n -H O
2
GLUCOSE FATTY
OH ALCOHOL
O
OH
OH O
OH
O
OH
OH O
OH
n
m
ALKYL
POLYGLUCOSIDE
15. Synthesis of Alkyl Polyglucoside Esters (AGEs)
OH
O
OH
OH O
OH
O
OH
OH O
OH
n
m
Alkylpolyglucoside
+
1) Maleic Anhydride 1) Citric Acid 1) Tartaric Acid
2) Sodium Sulfite 2) Sodium Hydroxide 2) Sodium Hydroxide
Alkylpolyglucoside Alkylpolyglucoside Alkylpolyglucoside
Sulfosuccinate Citrate Tartrate
16. AGEs Retain Favorable APG
Properties…
Free from dioxane,
Derived from Biodegradable, ethylene oxide, and
natural, renewable not harmful to nitrosamine
raw materials the environment precursors
Strong biological
Mild to skin and performance as
non-irritating to built-in and tank
the eyes mix adjuvants
21. Favorable Combinations with
Commonly Used Surfactants
WDPT (s)
Treatment 2000mgL-1
L61 Block Copolymer 305.9
APG (C8-10) 280.9
1:1 APG to L61 72.7
Sulfosuccinate Ester 23.4
1:1 SS to L61 5.0
OTS-treated sand
22. Effect of Blending Ratio
on Wetting Efficacy
WDPT (s)
2000mgL-1
Treatment 3:1 1:1 1:3
Citrate Ester + Block Copolymer 71.8 37.2 330.0
Tartrate Ester + Block Copolymer 51.8 41.6 128
Sulfosuccinate Ester + Block Copolymer 140 57.8 480
OTS-treated sand
GREEN denotes synergies
23. Mini Disk Infiltrometer (MDI)
•Measures hydraulic conductivity and infiltration
rate of the medium it is placed upon.
•Can also be used to measure soil water
repellency index and evaluate wetting agent
efficacy.
bottom view
Property of Decagon Devices, 2007.
24. Mini Disk Infiltrometer (MDI)
Infiltration = I = C1t + C2√t
Hydraulic Conductivity = k = C1/A
where C1 is the slope of the curve of
cumulative infiltration vs square root of time
and A = 11.65(n0.1-1)exp [2.92(n-1.9)αh0]
(αr0)0.91
related to soil parameters
Property of Decagon Devices, 2007.
27. Infiltration Rate (mL/s)
following 1.0” Rain Event
Mean
Infiltration Rate
Time after rain mL/s mL/min
30 minutes 0.47 28
24 hours 0.30 18
48 hours 0.20 12
72 hours 0.10 6
96 hours 0.10 6
28. Infiltration Rate (mL/s)
with Surfactant Treatment
Mean
Infiltration Rate
-1
Treatment (500mgL ) mL/s mL/min
Control (96 hr) 0.10 6
C8-10 APG 0.10 6
L62 0.13 8
Citrate Ester 0.15 9
Tartrate Ester 0.15 9
Sulfosuccinate ester 0.17 10
1:1 EC to L62 0.23 14
29. Conclusions and Future Outlook
Performance advantages are apparent in the
esterification of nonionic APGs.
APG esters can be highly effective at
delivering irrigation water and
agrochemicals to the root zone of turfgrass.
Synergies are apparent with commonly
used surfactants.
Patent pending. Research is underway to
further investigate these properties.
