The document compares Penmax® penetrants with other products, highlighting factors such as salt concentration, pH, and soil ecology effects on water penetration. Penmax® improves water retention in soil by over 80%, supports root system expansion, and reduces sodium absorption ratio significantly with an 86% reduction observed. It has been used safely for over 40 years, promoting balanced microbial growth while preventing adverse effects on soil organisms.

1. ComparisonComparison
ofof PenetrantsPenetrants
PenmaxPenmax®®
vs.vs.
Other ProductsOther Products

2. What are The Variables?What are The Variables?
Salt Concentration of water & soil.Salt Concentration of water & soil.
pH of the water & soil.pH of the water & soil.
NutrientsNutrients
Ecology of the soil.Ecology of the soil.

3. Non-IonicNon-Ionic Ionic PenetrantsIonic Penetrants
 Little or no pH effect.Little or no pH effect.
 Little or no interactionLittle or no interaction
with hard water.with hard water.
 How the soil ecologyHow the soil ecology
affected depends onaffected depends on
the product applied.the product applied.
 pH control maypH control may
cause changes incause changes in
the penetrant.the penetrant.
 An insoluble scumAn insoluble scum
may form with hardmay form with hard
water.water.
 The soil ecologyThe soil ecology
changes dependschanges depends
on the producton the product
applied.applied.

4. Water PenetrationWater Penetration
2.9
1.9
12
8
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
MeasuredinFeet
Water Water+Penmax
PenmaxTM Micro-Sprinklers
Irrigation Trials on Almonds
Diameter
Depth

5. PenmaxPenmax®®
Banks WaterBanks Water
 Over 80% more water can be stored in theOver 80% more water can be stored in the
soil profile.soil profile.
 This allows the root system to expandThis allows the root system to expand
which helps to support the active transportwhich helps to support the active transport
system of the plants.system of the plants.
 The larger root volume allows the plants toThe larger root volume allows the plants to
mine necessary nutrients from a largermine necessary nutrients from a larger
volume of soil.volume of soil.

6. PenmaxPenmax®®
treated watertreated water
continues to penetratecontinues to penetrate
into the soil.into the soil.

7. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
12 hrs 24 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs 96 hrs 120 hrs
Water Penetration Depth in inches
Penmax is Applied
in the first 6 hours of a 12 hour irrigation cycle
sandy loam
heavy clay

8. Sodium Adsorption RatioSodium Adsorption Ratio
( )
2
MgCa
Na
SAR
+
=

9. SAR ReductionSAR Reduction
 Because the sodium ion is moreBecause the sodium ion is more
soluble than either the calcium orsoluble than either the calcium or
magnesium ions, a huge changemagnesium ions, a huge change
in the Sodium Absorption Ratioin the Sodium Absorption Ratio
can be observed withcan be observed with PENMAXPENMAX®®
..

10. SAR Reduction Three weeksSAR Reduction Three weeks
24.4
3.3
0
5
10
15
20
25
Before After Penmax
SAR
86% Reduction of SAR with Penmax

11. Some Penetrants Can AdverselySome Penetrants Can Adversely
Affect Soil Organisms Growth RatesAffect Soil Organisms Growth Rates
 Many penetrants alter soil organismMany penetrants alter soil organism
populations.populations.
 If the growth rate of one organism isIf the growth rate of one organism is
slowed relative to others, the imbalanceslowed relative to others, the imbalance
may cause problems in the soil.may cause problems in the soil.
 Some penetrants retard all soil organismSome penetrants retard all soil organism
growth.growth.
 How long can this condition persist?How long can this condition persist?

12. PENMAXPENMAX®® Provides Improved andProvides Improved and
Balanced Soil Microbial GrowthBalanced Soil Microbial Growth

13. PenmaxPenmax®®
 For over 40 yearsFor over 40 years PenmaxPenmax®® has beenhas been
repeatedly tested and monitored, and hasrepeatedly tested and monitored, and has
proven to be the most reliable penetrantproven to be the most reliable penetrant
available on the market.available on the market.
 PenmaxPenmax®® has been used successfullyhas been used successfully
throughout the US and the World underthroughout the US and the World under
widely varying soils, climates and weatherwidely varying soils, climates and weather
conditions.conditions.

14. PENMAXPENMAX®®
 Banks Water.Banks Water.
 Helps to Carry Away Excess Salts.Helps to Carry Away Excess Salts.
 Facilitates Balanced Microbial Growth.Facilitates Balanced Microbial Growth.
 Has been Used Safely and ReliablyHas been Used Safely and Reliably
for Over 40 Years.for Over 40 Years.