Localised Dry Patch (LDP) is a condition that makes soil hydrophobic or water repellent.

For water to remain present in the soil it must adhere to individual soil particles within the micro pore space.

LDP is caused when a series of causal factors come together:

1. A high percentage of sand in the soil
2. Inert, overly sandy soil causes thatch build up
3. The presence of basidiomycetes fungi commonly found in Fairy Rings inhabit the thatch layer
4. The hydrophobic layer is caused by organic hydrophobins excreted by basidiomycetes fungi that coat individual sand particles
5. White hydrophobic proteins secreted onto soil particles by the basidiomycetes fungi commonly found in Fairy Rings
6. Water can’t adhere to soil particles, remains free in the space between, and is quickly pulled out of the rootzone by gravity leaving the soil powder dry.
7. Coating of as little as 3-6% of the sand particles can cause LDP

Wetting Agents

Wetting agents or “wetters” are often used to combat the effects of LDP, but they only offer part of the solution.

The waxy coating that causes soil to become hydrophobic can be thought of in the same way as the wax coating you would apply to your car bodywork.

When it’s been freshly waxed, your car will repel water easily. If you can see a fine film of water on your bonnet, then this is a sign that it’s time to wax it to protect the paint. Water landing on a waxed car  will form distinct beads that will blow off the car as soon as you start moving.

Adhesion and Cohesion

The factors at work here are well known properties of water called Adhesion and Cohesion and they are explained in relation to soil water in this article.

The water beading effect is caused by High Surface Tension in the water. The molecules of H20 are more inclined to stick to each other than they are to the waxed car.

When the water forms a thin, continuous film on an un-waxed car, this is a sign of Low Surface Tension and the water molecules are more inclined to stick to the car.

This is illustrated in relation LDP on greens by the core below:

This is a core from an LDP affected green and shows that the water droplets are under high tension. The molecules of water are much more attracted to each other (hence pulling themselves into a pronounced round droplet, rather than being absorbed into the soil.

Wetting Agents mainly help to reduce the surface tension of water, so that it can flow into the soil more easily.

Wetting Agents, only a Partial Solution

Allowing the water to be absorbed more easily into the surface is only half the battle though and it is important to deal with the underlying cause, which is the waxy coating on the sand particles.

So, for well established dry patch like that in the photos below it’s important to make allowance for stripping the waxy coating off as well as breaking down the surface tension to allow better flow of water into the green surface.

The Solution

1. Tine the area thoroughly using a Sarrell Roller or mini-solid tines
2. Apply Aquacept and SupaYucca in a combined spray
3. Water Green as required, hand watering very dry spots as required
4. Repeat step 2 after 5-7 days
5. Monitor recovery and repeat step 2 on any areas that remain affected
6. Take frequent core samples to monitor re-wetting of soil

What is AquaCept?

• A long-term solution to Localised Dry Patch giving rapid gains in summer sward quality
• Our solution aims to cure the causes not just remove the symptoms of dry patch

Aquacept a new development in dry patch management. Many turf managers experience a hydrophobic layer 4-6cm thick occurring just below the thatch layer. It often occurs in conjunction with or near fairy rings, and causes weak grass susceptible to disease and wear that many wetting agents cannot reach.

The hydrophobic layer is caused by organic hydrophobins excreted by fungi that coat the soil particles. The bacteria in AQUACEPT are chosen for their ability to digest these hydrophobins and outcompete the fungi for nutrient, removing the cause of the problem.

CONTENTS Aquacept contains bacteria chosen for their ability to break down the organic hydrophobins secreted by soil fungi which cause dry patch.

AQUACEPT produces protease enzymes which degrade the white hydrophobic proteins secreted onto soil particles by the basidiomycetes fungi commonly found in Fairy Rings. The hydrophobic layer is usually found just below the thatch layer 2cm-6cm deep