Soil Surfactant for Dry Patch Control and Turf Health in Australia

Managing Localised Dry Patch is a persistent challenge for turf managers across Australia. Uneven soil moisture leads to patchy turf, inconsistent playing surfaces and increased maintenance costs. HydroForce Ultra represents a major advancement in soil wetting agents for turf, with proven results in some of the toughest conditions. We explored Ultra in detail in a previous post. Check it more here: Next Generation Soil Surfactant for Professional Turf.

As part of the Greenway Turf Solutions product range, HydroForce Ultra is helping golf courses, sports fields and other turf facilities achieve more consistent playing surfaces while improving plant health and water use efficiency.

Understanding Dry Patch

Dry patch is defined as an area of turf that dries out and becomes difficult to rewet, even when large amounts of water are applied. It is usually characterised by the presence of water-repellent soil. The development of this water repellency has been linked to fairy ring activity as well as the breakdown of organic materials in the root zone during the natural decomposition of plant matter. These conditions create hydrophobic soil surfaces that resist water infiltration, leading to localised dry areas that are challenging to manage with irrigation alone.

Drought Stress vs Dry Patch

Drought stress is different. In this situation, there is no water-repellent soil present. Instead, the dryness is caused by other turf problems. For example, poor irrigation coverage may lead to patches that dry out simply because insufficient water is being applied. Another common cause is poor rooting, which can result from a variety of issues. Shallow or weak roots mean the plant is unable to take up the available water effectively, leading to drought-stressed turf even when moisture is present in the profile. Understanding the distinction between drought stress and dry patch is critical for selecting the right management strategy.

A Unique Molecular Design

HydroForce Ultra is built on next generation soil surfactant technology. Developed in collaboration with a leading United States manufacturer of block co-polymer technology, the product features a unique molecular structure designed to enhance adsorption to hydrophobic soil particles.

This structure improves the wettability and responsiveness of treated surfaces, allowing water to penetrate more effectively and distribute evenly throughout the soil profile. Unlike conventional wetting agents for turf, HydroForce Ultra is engineered to optimise the air-to-water ratio in the rootzone, creating a healthier soil environment and supporting strong root growth.

Proven Performance in Research and Field Trials

HydroForce Ultra has been extensively tested across the USA and Australia by turf research specialists Dr Stan Kostka, Dr Mike Fidanza and Dr Cale Bigalow from Rhizosolutions LLC. At Purdue University, trials demonstrated that HydroForce Ultra maintained targeted soil moisture levels in USGA sand rootzones through challenging summer months, outperforming competitive products.

In Australia, a research trial at Oxley Bowling Club in Brisbane showed that HydroForce Ultra significantly increased root weights in couch turf during stressful summer conditions. The ability to maintain root development and soil moisture levels during periods of high stress makes it a reliable choice for dry patch control in Australia.

Key Benefits

• Unique molecular design for superior soil wettability and responsiveness
• Curative and preventative activity against Localised Dry Patch
• Enhances fungicide performance in both root and foliar applications
• Improves root development under stressful conditions
• Extensively field tested in the USA and Australia
• Manufactured in the USA to the highest quality standards
• High performance at lower use rates than competitive products
• Tank mix compatible with a wide range of commonly used fungicides

Flexible Application for Turf Managers

HydroForce Ultra fits easily into existing turf management programs and can be used across a variety of turf situations.

Why Choose HydroForce Ultra

As a trusted supplier of soil wetting agents and turf surfactants, Greenway Turf Solutions brings Australian turf managers products backed by rigorous research and field validation. HydroForce Ultra offers a reliable and efficient solution for managing soil moisture, enhancing fungicide programs and improving overall turf quality.

By integrating HydroForce Ultra into your management program, you can achieve healthier turf, more consistent playing surfaces and improved performance under stress.

Indigo Hydroforce Wetting Agents Range:

Developed using advanced block co-polymer technology, each product in the range is formulated to improve water movement, reduce localised dry patch, and support stronger root development under Australian conditions. Whether the goal is preventative moisture management or curative treatment of hydrophobic soils, the HydroForce range offers reliable, research-backed solutions that integrate seamlessly into professional turf programs.

The Indigo HydroForce Wetting Agents Range provides turf managers with a complete set of solutions to address different soil moisture challenges across a variety of turf surfaces.

• HydroForce Rapid is designed for quick curative action, providing fast infiltration to rewet hydrophobic soils and address localised dry patch quickly.
• HydroForce Extend offers longer residual performance, making it ideal for preventative programs and maintaining consistent moisture distribution over time.
• HydroForce Ultra uses next generation molecular technology for both curative and preventative LDS management, improving soil wettability and supporting root health.
• HydroForce Inject is formulated for efficient delivery through irrigation systems, ensuring uniform coverage across large turf areas.
• HydroForce Recharge is a penetrant and rewetting agent that helps restore moisture balance in stressed turf and can be used to complement other surfactants in the range.

Together, these products give greenkeepers and turf managers flexible, targeted options to manage water more effectively, reduce dry patch, and maintain healthy, resilient playing surfaces under Australian conditions.