Most soil wetting agents used in turfgrass management are nonionic surfactants that allow soil particles to become wet. Wetting agents work by bonding with both water and the organic coatings on soil particles using their hydrophilic and lipophilic ends. Applying a wetting agent to water-repellent soil alleviates the repellency by allowing the soil to bond with water. However, wetting agents may also bond with excessive thatch or mat, causing the area to dry more slowly after application. On non-water-repellent soil, wetting agents likely increase downward water movement and decrease upward capillary action.
A contact angle goniometer measures the contact angle of a liquid on a solid surface and can
obtain surface energy of a solid. This instrument is used in all the major industries; especially
where research is done in coming up with newer materials. Low values of contact angle indicate
greater wettability and higher values mean that the solid doesn’t attract the liquid as much. This
instrument already exists but with my design it costs over ten times less, which will make it more
accessible to school labs and small-scale industries.
A contact angle goniometer measures the contact angle of a liquid on a solid surface and can
obtain surface energy of a solid. This instrument is used in all the major industries; especially
where research is done in coming up with newer materials. Low values of contact angle indicate
greater wettability and higher values mean that the solid doesn’t attract the liquid as much. This
instrument already exists but with my design it costs over ten times less, which will make it more
accessible to school labs and small-scale industries.
Class notes of Geotechnical Engineering course I used to teach at UET Lahore. Feel free to download the slide show.
Anyone looking to modify these files and use them for their own teaching purposes can contact me directly to get hold of editable version.
Clay Minerology & Plasticity Characteristics of SoilArbaz Kazi
This presentation describes about various states of soil, plasticity of soil, various clay minerals, consistency limits, structure of clay minerals, classification of clay minerals based on Activity number
SOIL COMPACTION AND ITS EFFECT ON PROPERTIESGeorgeThampy
soil compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together so that reduction in pore space between them.soil compaction increases the shear strength of the soil.And soil compaction is much effective in earth dams.
Shear strength is a term used in soil mechanics to describe the magnitude of the shear stress that a soil can sustain. The shear resistance of soil is a result of friction and interlocking of particles, and possibly cementation or bonding at particle contacts. Due to interlocking, particulate material may expand or contract in volume as it is subject to shear strains. If soil expands its volume, the density of particles will decrease and the strength will decrease; in this case, the peak strength would be followed by a reduction of shear stress. The stress-strain relationship levels off when the material stops expanding or contracting, and when interparticle bonds are broken. The theoretical state at which the shear stress and density remain constant while the shear strain increases may be called the critical state, steady state, or residual strength.
Los investigadores han demostrado empíricamente que la fricción deslizante en la arena se reduce en gran medida añadiendo algo de agua ―pero no demasiada―.
Comparative study of one and two diode model of solar photovoltaic celleSAT Journals
Abstract Modeling of solar cell is a very difficult task. This is because of the non linear behavior of the cell. Different types of modeling for solar cells are available in the literature. The theme of the modeling is based on the solar radiation and temperature of the system and environment. Determination of cell parameters like Iph, Is, Rs ,Rsh and ideality factor generally affects the performance of the solar cell. This paper will basically describe about the one diode model of the solar cell. The initial parameter are evaluated by generating some random number through a computer program and from the manufacturer data sheet provided by the manufacturer. The result of the simulation will describe about the performance of two types of model. Keywords: Solar PV, One diode model, Two diode model
Find out how to leverage the power of analytics to increase the social impact of your non-profit organization. Non profit organizations collect data through various means and tools. How do they use the data collected to understand the landscape they operate, make future predictions, and understand optimal ways to increase their impact heading towards the future.
Class notes of Geotechnical Engineering course I used to teach at UET Lahore. Feel free to download the slide show.
Anyone looking to modify these files and use them for their own teaching purposes can contact me directly to get hold of editable version.
Clay Minerology & Plasticity Characteristics of SoilArbaz Kazi
This presentation describes about various states of soil, plasticity of soil, various clay minerals, consistency limits, structure of clay minerals, classification of clay minerals based on Activity number
SOIL COMPACTION AND ITS EFFECT ON PROPERTIESGeorgeThampy
soil compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together so that reduction in pore space between them.soil compaction increases the shear strength of the soil.And soil compaction is much effective in earth dams.
Shear strength is a term used in soil mechanics to describe the magnitude of the shear stress that a soil can sustain. The shear resistance of soil is a result of friction and interlocking of particles, and possibly cementation or bonding at particle contacts. Due to interlocking, particulate material may expand or contract in volume as it is subject to shear strains. If soil expands its volume, the density of particles will decrease and the strength will decrease; in this case, the peak strength would be followed by a reduction of shear stress. The stress-strain relationship levels off when the material stops expanding or contracting, and when interparticle bonds are broken. The theoretical state at which the shear stress and density remain constant while the shear strain increases may be called the critical state, steady state, or residual strength.
Los investigadores han demostrado empíricamente que la fricción deslizante en la arena se reduce en gran medida añadiendo algo de agua ―pero no demasiada―.
Comparative study of one and two diode model of solar photovoltaic celleSAT Journals
Abstract Modeling of solar cell is a very difficult task. This is because of the non linear behavior of the cell. Different types of modeling for solar cells are available in the literature. The theme of the modeling is based on the solar radiation and temperature of the system and environment. Determination of cell parameters like Iph, Is, Rs ,Rsh and ideality factor generally affects the performance of the solar cell. This paper will basically describe about the one diode model of the solar cell. The initial parameter are evaluated by generating some random number through a computer program and from the manufacturer data sheet provided by the manufacturer. The result of the simulation will describe about the performance of two types of model. Keywords: Solar PV, One diode model, Two diode model
Find out how to leverage the power of analytics to increase the social impact of your non-profit organization. Non profit organizations collect data through various means and tools. How do they use the data collected to understand the landscape they operate, make future predictions, and understand optimal ways to increase their impact heading towards the future.
Role of water in Biomaterials· The primary role water plays in bMalikPinckney86
Role of water in Biomaterials
· The primary role water plays in biomaterials is as a solvent system.
· Water is the “universal ether” as it has been termed (Baier and Meyer, 1996), dissolving inorganic salts and large organic macromolecules such as proteins or carbohydrates (solutes) with nearly equal efficiency (Pain, 1982).
· Water is an active participant in biology, which simply could not and would not work the way it does without the special mediating properties of water.
· Moreover, it is widely believed that water is the first molecule to contact biomaterials in any clinical application (Andrade et al., 1981; Baier, 1978).
· This is because water is the majority molecule in any biological mixture, constituting 70 wt % or more of most living organisms, and because water is such a small and agile molecule, only about 0.25 nm in the longest dimension.
· Consequently, behavior of water near surfaces and the role of water in biology are very important subjects in biomaterials science.
· Self-association confers unique properties on water, many of which are still active areas of scientific investigation even after more than 200 years of chemical and physical research applied to water (Franks, 1972).
WATER SOLVENT PROPERTIES
A
C
B
D
FIG. Atomic structure of water illustrating (A) tetrahedral bonding arrangement wherein hydrogen atoms (H, light-colored spheres) are Lewis acid centers and the two lone-pair electrons on oxygen (O, dark-colored spheres) are Lewis base centers that permit water to hydrogen bond with four nearest-neighbor water molecules; (B) electron density map superimposed on an atomic-radius sphere model of water providing a more authentic representation of molecular water; (C) approximate molecular dimensions; and (D) five water molecules participating in a portion of a hydrogen-bond network.
· Hydrogen bonds in water are relatively weak 3–5 kcal/mole associations with little covalent character (Iassacs et al., 1999; Marshall, 1999).
· Hydrogen bonds are quite transient in nature, persisting only for a few tens of picoseconds (Berendsen, 1967; Luzar and Chandler, 1996).
· Modern molecular simulations suggest, however, that more than 75% of liquid-water molecules are interconnected in a three-dimensional (3D) network of three or four nearest neighbors at any particular instant in time (Robinson et al., 1996).
· In chemical terminology, less self-associated water has a greater chemical potential than more self associated water.
· This is why water ice with a complete crystalline network is less dense than liquid water and floats upon unfrozen water, a phenomenon with profound environmental impact.
· Water is amphoteric in this sense because, as illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1D, it can simultaneously share and donate electron density. Hydrogen atoms (the Lewis acids) on one or more adjacent water molecules can accept electron density from the unshared electron pairs on the oxygen atom (the Lewis bases) of another water molec ...
Determination of Effect Bentonite and Additives On Drilling FluidsIRJESJOURNAL
Abstract :- Drilling fluids Play a vital role in hole Cleaning suspension of cuttings, prevent caving, and ensure the tightness of the well wall. Moreover they also help in cooling and lubricating the drilling tool, transfer the hydraulic power and carry information about the nature of the drilled formation by raising the cuttings from the bottom to the surface, using a simple mixture of water and clays, to complex mixtures of various specific organic and inorganic products as additives. These additives improve fluid rheological properties and filtration capability, allowing bits to penetrate heterogeneous geological formations The mud used in this work is barite and bentonites at different samples to know the difference in their specific gravity, viscosity, surface tension, and pH of the samples when chemical additives are added.
This presentation delves into the settling of particles in water and its implications for human health. It explores the processes by which particles, including sediments, pollutants, and microorganisms, settle in aquatic environments. Key topics include the role of settling in water treatment, sedimentation rates, and factors influencing particle behavior. Discussions also address health risks associated with sediment-bound contaminants, such as heavy metals and pathogens, and their potential impacts on water quality and public health. By elucidating these linkages, the presentation aims to inform strategies for water management and treatment that minimize health risks and ensure safe drinking water for communities.
This pdf is about the Schizophrenia.
For more details visit on YouTube; @SELF-EXPLANATORY;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiarMZDNhe1A3Rnpr_WkzA/videos
Thanks...!
Cancer cell metabolism: special Reference to Lactate PathwayAADYARAJPANDEY1
Normal Cell Metabolism:
Cellular respiration describes the series of steps that cells use to break down sugar and other chemicals to get the energy we need to function.
Energy is stored in the bonds of glucose and when glucose is broken down, much of that energy is released.
Cell utilize energy in the form of ATP.
The first step of respiration is called glycolysis. In a series of steps, glycolysis breaks glucose into two smaller molecules - a chemical called pyruvate. A small amount of ATP is formed during this process.
Most healthy cells continue the breakdown in a second process, called the Kreb's cycle. The Kreb's cycle allows cells to “burn” the pyruvates made in glycolysis to get more ATP.
The last step in the breakdown of glucose is called oxidative phosphorylation (Ox-Phos).
It takes place in specialized cell structures called mitochondria. This process produces a large amount of ATP. Importantly, cells need oxygen to complete oxidative phosphorylation.
If a cell completes only glycolysis, only 2 molecules of ATP are made per glucose. However, if the cell completes the entire respiration process (glycolysis - Kreb's - oxidative phosphorylation), about 36 molecules of ATP are created, giving it much more energy to use.
IN CANCER CELL:
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
introduction to WARBERG PHENOMENA:
WARBURG EFFECT Usually, cancer cells are highly glycolytic (glucose addiction) and take up more glucose than do normal cells from outside.
Otto Heinrich Warburg (; 8 October 1883 – 1 August 1970) In 1931 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for his "discovery of the nature and mode of action of the respiratory enzyme.
WARNBURG EFFECT : cancer cells under aerobic (well-oxygenated) conditions to metabolize glucose to lactate (aerobic glycolysis) is known as the Warburg effect. Warburg made the observation that tumor slices consume glucose and secrete lactate at a higher rate than normal tissues.
Introduction:
RNA interference (RNAi) or Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) is an important biological process for modulating eukaryotic gene expression.
It is highly conserved process of posttranscriptional gene silencing by which double stranded RNA (dsRNA) causes sequence-specific degradation of mRNA sequences.
dsRNA-induced gene silencing (RNAi) is reported in a wide range of eukaryotes ranging from worms, insects, mammals and plants.
This process mediates resistance to both endogenous parasitic and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids, and regulates the expression of protein-coding genes.
What are small ncRNAs?
micro RNA (miRNA)
short interfering RNA (siRNA)
Properties of small non-coding RNA:
Involved in silencing mRNA transcripts.
Called “small” because they are usually only about 21-24 nucleotides long.
Synthesized by first cutting up longer precursor sequences (like the 61nt one that Lee discovered).
Silence an mRNA by base pairing with some sequence on the mRNA.
Discovery of siRNA?
The first small RNA:
In 1993 Rosalind Lee (Victor Ambros lab) was studying a non- coding gene in C. elegans, lin-4, that was involved in silencing of another gene, lin-14, at the appropriate time in the
development of the worm C. elegans.
Two small transcripts of lin-4 (22nt and 61nt) were found to be complementary to a sequence in the 3' UTR of lin-14.
Because lin-4 encoded no protein, she deduced that it must be these transcripts that are causing the silencing by RNA-RNA interactions.
Types of RNAi ( non coding RNA)
MiRNA
Length (23-25 nt)
Trans acting
Binds with target MRNA in mismatch
Translation inhibition
Si RNA
Length 21 nt.
Cis acting
Bind with target Mrna in perfect complementary sequence
Piwi-RNA
Length ; 25 to 36 nt.
Expressed in Germ Cells
Regulates trnasposomes activity
MECHANISM OF RNAI:
First the double-stranded RNA teams up with a protein complex named Dicer, which cuts the long RNA into short pieces.
Then another protein complex called RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) discards one of the two RNA strands.
The RISC-docked, single-stranded RNA then pairs with the homologous mRNA and destroys it.
THE RISC COMPLEX:
RISC is large(>500kD) RNA multi- protein Binding complex which triggers MRNA degradation in response to MRNA
Unwinding of double stranded Si RNA by ATP independent Helicase
Active component of RISC is Ago proteins( ENDONUCLEASE) which cleave target MRNA.
DICER: endonuclease (RNase Family III)
Argonaute: Central Component of the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC)
One strand of the dsRNA produced by Dicer is retained in the RISC complex in association with Argonaute
ARGONAUTE PROTEIN :
1.PAZ(PIWI/Argonaute/ Zwille)- Recognition of target MRNA
2.PIWI (p-element induced wimpy Testis)- breaks Phosphodiester bond of mRNA.)RNAse H activity.
MiRNA:
The Double-stranded RNAs are naturally produced in eukaryotic cells during development, and they have a key role in regulating gene expression .
Multi-source connectivity as the driver of solar wind variability in the heli...Sérgio Sacani
The ambient solar wind that flls the heliosphere originates from multiple
sources in the solar corona and is highly structured. It is often described
as high-speed, relatively homogeneous, plasma streams from coronal
holes and slow-speed, highly variable, streams whose source regions are
under debate. A key goal of ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter mission is to identify
solar wind sources and understand what drives the complexity seen in the
heliosphere. By combining magnetic feld modelling and spectroscopic
techniques with high-resolution observations and measurements, we show
that the solar wind variability detected in situ by Solar Orbiter in March
2022 is driven by spatio-temporal changes in the magnetic connectivity to
multiple sources in the solar atmosphere. The magnetic feld footpoints
connected to the spacecraft moved from the boundaries of a coronal hole
to one active region (12961) and then across to another region (12957). This
is refected in the in situ measurements, which show the transition from fast
to highly Alfvénic then to slow solar wind that is disrupted by the arrival of
a coronal mass ejection. Our results describe solar wind variability at 0.5 au
but are applicable to near-Earth observatories.
Richard's aventures in two entangled wonderlandsRichard Gill
Since the loophole-free Bell experiments of 2020 and the Nobel prizes in physics of 2022, critics of Bell's work have retreated to the fortress of super-determinism. Now, super-determinism is a derogatory word - it just means "determinism". Palmer, Hance and Hossenfelder argue that quantum mechanics and determinism are not incompatible, using a sophisticated mathematical construction based on a subtle thinning of allowed states and measurements in quantum mechanics, such that what is left appears to make Bell's argument fail, without altering the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. I think however that it is a smoke screen, and the slogan "lost in math" comes to my mind. I will discuss some other recent disproofs of Bell's theorem using the language of causality based on causal graphs. Causal thinking is also central to law and justice. I will mention surprising connections to my work on serial killer nurse cases, in particular the Dutch case of Lucia de Berk and the current UK case of Lucy Letby.
A brief information about the SCOP protein database used in bioinformatics.
The Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for the structural and evolutionary relationships of proteins. It provides a detailed and curated classification of protein structures, grouping them into families, superfamilies, and folds based on their structural and sequence similarities.
1. Most of the soil wetting agents used in
turfgrass management are nonionic
surfactants.
Wetting agents bond both with water
and with the organic coating on the
soil or sand particle, thus
allowing the soil or sand particle to
become wet.
A wetting agent applied to a non-
water-repellent soil would most
likely increase the downward move-
ment of water out of the root zone and
decrease the upward capillary move-
ment of the water in the soil.
When a wetting agent is applied to an
area with excessive thatch or mat, that
area dries more slowly than an
untreated area at the same site.
More Info: www.gcsaa.org
KEY points
RESEARCH
84 GCM
June 2004
Wetting agents:
What are they, and how do they work?
A better understanding of how wetting agents work will lead to their more effective use on the golf course.
Keith J. Karnok, Ph.D.; Kang Xia, Ph.D.; and Kevin A. Tucker
Without question, soil wetting agents
have become an important management tool
for superintendents.The senior author con-
ducted a survey of more than 600 superin-
tendents that showed 87% use wetting
agents as part of their regular maintenance
program while another 11% use them in cer-
tain situations. According to the survey, wet-
ting 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, superinten-
dents use wetting agents for a variety of other
reasons such as reducing dew and frost for-
mation, improving seed germination, reduc-
ing 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 effec-
tive 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 under-
standing of the chemical nature of wetting
agents, superintendents will be able to deter-
mine whether a wetting agent will be effective
in a given situation.
Surfactants
Wetting agents fit into a class of chemical
compounds called surfactants, which are
chemicals that cause a physical change at the
surface of liquids. Such changes occur at the
interface between two liquids or between a
liquid and a gas or a liquid and a solid.
Because they cause changes at the surface,
they are known as “SURFace ACTive
AgeNTs.” Surfactants are commonly used in
herbicide formulations to enhance the desired
properties of the formulation and the ulti-
mate spray mixture.
Surfactants have many other uses depend-
ing on their specific chemical properties. For
example, other types of surfactants include
emulsifiers, dispersants, spreaders, pene-
trants, stickers and detergents. Each type of
surfactant has one or more characteristics in
common, but all possess the common feature
of a water-soluble (hydrophilic) group
attached to a long, oil-soluble (lipophilic)
hydrocarbon chain (Figure 1). These two
groups may be linked together or by an inter-
vening group. Literally thousands of chemi-
cal combinations are possible.
Ionization
Small differences in the structure of surfac-
tants can significantly affect their behavior.
Depending on their ionization or charge, sur-
factantsarecommonlyseparatedintofourmajor
groups:anionic,cationic,nonionicandampho-
teric. Basically, anionic and cationic surfactants
ionize when mixed with water. Their surface
activepropertiesareduetotheirnegativecharge
(anion) and positive charge (cations), respec-
tively. Nonionic surfactants do not ionize in
aqueousorwatersolutions,whereasamphoteric
surfactants can be either anionic or cationic
depending on the acidity of the solution.
Anionic and cationic surfactants have the
disadvantage of reacting with other ions in the
solution, causing a precipitate or foam to form.
Nonionic surfactants do not react with other
ions so they are unaffected by hard water. In
other words, they do not form insoluble salts
with calcium, magnesium or ferric ions.They
can also be used in strong acid solutions and
tend to have relatively low toxicity to plants.
Most of today’s soil wetting agents used in turf-
grass management are nonionic surfactants.
Soaps
Superintendents often ask, “What about
soaps?” Soaps are a type of surfactant; can they
be used as a soil wetting agent? Although soaps
have both a polar end and a nonpolar end,
they owe their surfactant properties to an
anionic portion of the molecule. Therefore,
soaps are actually anionic surfactants. They
have the disadvantage of forming insoluble
salts with magnesium, calcium and ferric ions
in hard water.These salts will precipitate from
solution and form a scum on the water.
Therefore, soap would not be a good substi-
tute for a nonionic surfactant or wetting agent.
2. with oil or grease. Chemical bonds cannot be
formed between water and oil. However, if a
surfactant, which has both polar and nonpo-
lar portions, is added to water, the water is no
longer repelled. The nonpolar portion of the
wetting agent bonds with the nonpolar oil,
and the polar portion bonds with the water,
apparently allowing the two to mix.
Figure 3. A scanning electron micrograph showing a sand particle with a water-repellent
organic coating.
RESEARCH
GCM 85
June 2004
Chemistry of water
Polarity
To understand how a surfactant or wet-
ting agent works in a turfgrass situation, it is
important to understand the properties of
water. A water molecule consists of two
hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Water
is a dipolar substance, which means it has
both negative and positive polar ends (Figure
2).The unique properties of water are due to
this polarity, which allows it to form bonds
with a variety of polar molecules. However,
water and other polar molecules will not
bond with nonpolar molecules. In fact, water
and other polar substances will be repelled by
nonpolar molecules.
An example would be trying to mix water
Surface tension
Another significant trait of water is sur-
face tension. Surface tension is the tendency
of the surface molecules of a liquid to be
attracted toward the center of the liquid
body. Surface tension is why a single water
droplet on wax paper appears as though it
has a tense, elastic membrane surrounding it.
Few liquids have a higher surface tension
than water. For example, a small sewing nee-
dle will float on the surface of pure water
because the needle isn’t heavy enough to
break the surface tension of the water.
However, if a wetting agent is added to the
water, the surface tension (that is, the
attraction of water molecules to each other)
is reduced, and the needle will sink.
Wetting agents and
water-repellent soils
It has been well documented that soil
water repellency resulting in localized dry
spots is the result of an organic (nonpolar)
coating that adheres to the individual soil or
— in most cases — sand particle (Figure 3).
This organic material is the end product of
organic matter decomposition. The authors
have written about this phenomenon in sev-
eral articles in Golf Course Management (see
references list). The important point to
Figure 1. A typical wetting agent molecule showing a hydrophilic
water-attracting group and a long, oil-soluble (lipophilic) hydro-
carbon chain.
Figure 2. Water is a dipolar substance that con-
sists of two hydrogen atoms (positive charge)
and one oxygen atom (negative charge).
PhotocourtesyofK.Karnok
Water-Soluble Group
(HYDROPHILIC/POLAR)
Oil-Soluble Hydrocarbon Chain
(LIPOPHILIC/NONPOLAR)
3. RESEARCH
86 GCM
June 2004
understand is when this organic coating cov-
ers a significant amount of a soil or sand par-
ticle, the particle will repel water (Figure 4).
When a wetting agent is added to the
water, the polar portion of the wetting agent
bonds with the water while the nonpolar por-
tion bonds with the nonpolar organic coat-
ing, thus allowing the soil or sand particle to
wet (Figure 5). As long as there is sufficient
wetting agent bonding with the organic coat-
ing, the soil or sand particle will not be water-
repellent. However, it should be kept in mind
that this alleviation of soil hydrophobicity is
only temporary. As long as the coating
remains on the soil or sand particle, water
repellency will return when the use of a wet-
ting agent is discontinued.
Wetting agents and thatch or mat
Because wetting agents are designed to have
an affinity for nonpolar as well as polar sub-
stances, then it stands to reason that excessive
thatch or mat accumulation will affect wetting
agent performance. In other words, a wetting
agent will potentially bond with the thatch or
mat as readily as it bonds with water-repellent
soil particles. Research at the University of
Georgia has demonstrated this fact. In a turf-
grass site with an excessive accumulation of
thatch, an area that has been treated with a wet-
ting agent will dry significantly more slowly
than an untreated area at the same site.
This in part explains the observation some
superintendents have made that certain wetting
agents apparently hold moisture at the soil sur-
face. Although this phenomenon could be
relatedtothechemistryofcertainwettingagents,
Figure 5. Diagram of a sand particle with a water-repellent organic coating
after treatment with a wetting agent.
our research suggests that the amount — and
possiblyeventhenature—ofthethatchormat
isatleastasimportantorperhapsamoreimpor-
tantfactor.Atthispoint,weareunsureastohow
much thatch or mat is too much. Research is
underwaytobetterunderstandtherelationships
among thatch or mat, organic matter and the
performance of specific wetting agents.
Wetting agents and
non-water-repellent soils
Superintendents often ask, “What happens
whenawettingagentisappliedtoanon-water-
repellent soil or sand?” In agreement with the
reasoning discussed above, on a site with little
or no thatch or mat and the absence of water-
repellent soil, a wetting agent would have little
effectonthesoilitself.However,awettingagent
wouldreducethesurfacetensionandattraction
of water molecules to each other, making water
“wetter.”This effect would most likely increase
the downward movement of water out of the
root zone (providing there was subsurface
drainage)whiledecreasingtheupwardcapillary
movement of the water in the soil.
Conclusions
Many questions pertaining to wetting
agents remain unanswered, including how,
when and under what conditions they should
be used on the golf course. We have several
studies currently under way to answer many of
these questions.
References
1. Carrow, R.N. 1989. Understanding wetting agents.
Golf Course Management 57(6):18-26.
2. Fainerman, V.B., D. Mobius and R. Miller (eds.).
2001.Surfactants:Chemistry,interfacial properties,
applications. Elsevier, New York.
3. Karnok, K.J., E.J. Rowland and K.H.Tan. 1993. High
pH treatments and the alleviation of soil hydropho-
bicity on golf greens.Agronomy Journal 85:983-986.
4. Karnok, K., and M. Beall. 1995. Localized dry spots
caused by hydrophobic soil:What have we learned?
Golf Course Management 63(8):57-59.
5. Karnok,K.J.,and K.A.Tucker.1999.Dry spots return
with summer.Golf Course Management 67(5):49-52.
6. Karnok,K.J.,and K.A.Tucker.2000.FAQ about LDS.
Golf Course Management 68(6):75-78.
7. Karnok, K.J., and K.A.Tucker. 2001. Fight localized
dry spots through the roots. Golf Course
Management 69(7):58-60.
8. Karnok, K.J., and K.A. Tucker. 2001. Effects of flu-
tolanil fungicide and Primer wetting agent on water
repellent soil. HortTechnology 11(3):437-440.
9. Karnok, K., and K. Tucker. 2002. Water-repellent
soils, Part I. Where are we now? Golf Course
Management 70(6):59-62.
10. Karnok, K., and K. Tucker. 2002. Water-repellent
soils, Part II. More questions and answers. Golf
Course Management 70(7):49-52.
11. Karnok,K.J.,and K.A.Tucker.2003.Turfgrass stress,
water-repellent soils and LDS. Golf Course
Management 71(6):97-98.
12. Tucker, K.A., K.J. Karnok, D.E. Radcliffe, G. Landry
Jr.,R.W.Roncadori and K.H.Tan.1990.Localized dry
spots as caused by hydrophobic sand on bentgrass
greens. Agronomy Journal 82:549-555.
13. Wilkinson, J.F., and R.H. Miller. 1978. Investigation
and treatment of localized dry spots on sand golf
greens. Agronomy Journal 70:299-304.
Keith Karnok, Ph.D. (kkarnok@uga.edu), is a professor
of turfgrass science and Kang Xia, Ph.D., is an assis-
tant professor of environmental soil science in the
department of crop and soil sciences at the University
of Georgia. Kevin A. Tucker is a research associate in
the department. Karnok will be an instructor at GCSAA
education seminars in Orlando.
Figure 4. Diagram of a sand particle with a water-repellent organic coating.
Nonpolar End
Will Repel Water
Wetting Agent
Polar Head
(Attracts Water)
H H
O
Water Molecule