Harrell’s announced the introduction of Surface Rx, the newest addition to the company’s HydroMAX portfolio.
“Several years ago, our Research & Development team at Harrell’s was challenged with reimagining what a wetting agent formulation could be,” said Dr. Jeff Atkinson, Harrell’s director of agronomy. “SurfaceRx introduces a novel osmoprotectant technology to a wetting agent formulation, helping turf withstand drought stress on a physiological level while mitigating soil water repellency.”
SurfaceRx is a wetting agent with an inventive osmoprotectant formulation, engineered to deliver “prescribed playability" on golf course surfaces by improving moisture penetration and distribution while helping turf naturally defend against drought and dry-down stress. The formulation results in improved color, quality and root development, even under challenging conditions.
“SurfaceRx is a true innovation in surfactant technology,” said Dr. Raymond Snyder, fellow Harrell’s director of agronomy. “This isn’t just about water movement or moisture management, it’s about plant protection and turf health. We’re giving superintendents a tool that supports turf performance, resiliency and maximum soil moisture control.”
Unlike conventional penetrant wetting agents, SurfaceRx harnesses an osmoprotectant formulation technology to support the plant’s natural production of osmolytes, which are compounds that help balance hydration during abiotic stress, such as drought.
Independent research conducted by Virginia Tech showed that SurfaceRx not only improved water penetration and moisture distribution but also resulted in significant improvements in turf quality, leaf color, chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency, root surface area and root volume during drought stress.
With familiar application rates and a high degree of turfgrass safety, SurfaceRx fits into existing wetting agent programs and within the Harrell’s HydroMAX portfolio.
