Recent research conducted in California suggests that the relationship between higher soil moisture and higher soil temperatures may be favorably influenced by the use of certain soil surfactants under certain conditions.
In a field study conducted at Stockdale Country Club in Bakersfield, Calif. to test the effects of soil surfactant treatments, regular readings were taken to monitor both soil moisture (volumetric water content) and soil temperature. Samples taken from areas with higher soil moisture exhibited higher soil temperatures, indicating that higher soil moisture causes soils to hold more heat. The preliminary findings also indicate that certain surfactants can significantly lower soil moisture with a corresponding reduction in soil temperature as well.
Higher soil moisture does not always mean high soil temperatures. However under high stress conditions from extended periods of hot, dry weather this situation can occur, According to Soils Physics texts, “Adding water to a dry soil triples it’s heat capacity…overall” (Jury, Gardner & Gardner) Under hot, dry conditions, it is particularly important to get sufficient water to the rootzone and avoid excess moisture which also reduces air.
Revolution, used in the California trial, resulted in lower and very uniform moisture levels compared to the other surfactant treatment. The areas managed with Revolution also had consistently lower soil temperatures. It is theorized that the more optimum balance of water and air in the rootzone experienced with Revolution is the explanation for the lower, more consistent temperatures as well. This suggests a less stressful growing environment which can help turf better withstand environmental stresses.
Final results from this study are pending. Additional studies are also being conducted in other parts of the country to validate the results in a wider geographic context.
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