| abstract |
Certain novel formulations of turf additives that act in such a manner as to permit proper amounts of moisture to contact root systems in order to reduce dry spots within highly managed turf areas and/or lawns. The inventive formulation comprising multi-branched surfactant compounds with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents within each branch attached to an oxygen-containing polyfunctional base compound permits effective moisture penetration through such localized dry spots for sustained grass growth therein. Importantly, such multi-branched wetting agents provide sustained moisture penetration over a sustained period of time since the individual branches of such compounds may become dissociated from its base polyfunctional compound. Since such branches include both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents themselves, and thus act as wetting agents, even after degradation of the initial surfactant compound, long-term wetting and moisture penetration, at least, are permitted. Methods of treating sandy soils with such compounds and formulations thereof are also contemplated within this invention. |