Wetting agents as a tool for sustainable water management

ARTICLE

Wijnand Meijboom, Friday 14 August 2026

263 sec

Wetting agents are no longer unfamiliar to many greenkeepers and field managers. However, questions about their use and application still regularly arise in practice. Arjen de Haan of Bion explains what wetting agents do, when to use them and what to consider. His explanation of AQBION shows that wetting agents are primarily a supporting tool for effective and sustainable water management.

Arjen de Haan: 'During periods of drought, when water scarcity also becomes an issue, every drop of water that can be used effectively matters.'

According to De Haan, the story starts with using water efficiently. 'During periods of drought, when water scarcity also becomes an issue, every drop of water that can be used effectively matters,' he says. Wetting agents help by distributing water more evenly and allowing it to infiltrate the soil more gradually. This makes better use of the available water. One important piece of advice is that timing is essential. Many turf managers only act once the problem becomes visible, but according to De Haan that is not the best approach. 'It is better to treat before a dry or hot period begins,' he explains on one of the hottest days of June. 'That way you ensure the water you apply is distributed properly throughout the soil.' By using wetting agents in time, you can prevent water from draining away too quickly or failing to infiltrate the soil properly. According to De Haan, this can also have a positive effect on nutrient uptake. 'Nutrients are less likely to leach because you keep the water in the root zone for longer.'

According to De Haan, the effect of wetting agents is often easiest to understand through a simple practical example. 'You can compare it to watering a dry flower pot,' he says. 'The pot may hold five litres of water, but if you pour twenty litres onto it all at once, most of it simply runs down the sides and out of the bottom while the root ball itself remains dry.' A wetting agent changes that behaviour. 'If you apply three litres of water with a small amount of wetting agent, the pot becomes properly wet,' De Haan explains. The water spreads more evenly and is retained instead of running off quickly. According to him, the same principle applies to sports fields and golf greens. Without support, water struggles to infiltrate dry or water-repellent soils. A wetting agent breaks the surface tension, allowing the water to spread more evenly exactly where it is needed.

'You don't want puddles to remain or the surface layer to stay too wet.'

Also valuable during wet periods

Although wetting agents are often associated with drought, they also have a clear role in autumn and winter. 'These days you can also have dry periods during autumn, but also moments with heavy rainfall,' says De Haan. During periods of heavy rain, certain wetting agents help move water through the soil more quickly. This prevents puddles and waterlogged surfaces, which is especially important on greens and fairways where playability is essential. 'You don't want puddles to remain or the surface layer to stay too wet,' says De Haan. This effect can also indirectly help reduce disease pressure. Standing water combined with prolonged moisture increases the risk of fungal diseases. By allowing water to drain more effectively, that risk can be reduced.

Different functions

Not every wetting agent works in the same way. De Haan distinguishes between different types, each with its own purpose. A so-called Triwett acts as both a penetrant and a spreader, ensuring that water is evenly distributed throughout the upper soil layer. A penetrant, on the other hand, is specifically designed to move water quickly into deeper soil layers, for example during periods of excessive rainfall. 'It's actually quite straightforward,' says De Haan. 'If you're heading into a wet period, you use a penetrant. If drought is approaching, you choose a product that improves water distribution.' There are also products specifically designed to reduce dew formation. This is particularly useful in spring and autumn. Persistent dew can affect not only turf health but also playing conditions and the footwear of course users. 'In late summer, dew can sometimes remain until well into the day. That's something you want to avoid,' he explains.

Assess your own situation

A common pitfall is that turf managers focus too much on the product and too little on the actual situation. According to De Haan, the starting point should always be the conditions on the site. Soil type plays a major role. Sandy soils naturally drain quickly, while heavier soils are more prone to compaction and poor drainage. Local factors such as shade, differences in elevation and groundwater levels are equally important. 'Even within a single field there can be major differences. On sports fields, shaded areas are often more susceptible to wet conditions. That requires a targeted approach. If the water simply has nowhere to go because the soil is already saturated, a wetting agent will not solve the problem,' says De Haan. He emphasises that wetting agents are not miracle products but tools within an overall management strategy.

'If you do it properly, you need fewer chemicals and fewer corrective measures.'

According to De Haan, turf management is increasingly shifting towards prevention. Through effective water management and the use of tools such as wetting agents, problems can often be avoided before they develop. He gives the example of turf receiving sufficient moisture during summer. It grows better and enters the winter in a stronger condition, reducing the risk of diseases and bare patches. In winter, good water management helps remove excess moisture and reduce dew formation. The goal is to create a healthy and resilient turf that requires fewer corrective treatments. 'If you do it properly, you need fewer chemicals and fewer corrective measures.'

Budget remains decisive

According to De Haan, the use of wetting agents is increasing. In countries where irrigation systems are less common, such as England, wetting agents have already been widely adopted for many years. Interest is also growing in the Netherlands. Whether they are actually used, however, often depends on the available budget. 'Every application is part of your maintenance budget,' says De Haan. 'If you add something, you have to reduce spending somewhere else.' He adds that Bion's AQBION wetting agents distinguish themselves through a smart combination of high-quality ingredients, balancing performance and cost.

Pitfall

A clear pitfall for greenkeepers and field managers is choosing the wrong type of wetting agent. De Haan gives a simple example: 'If you use a penetrant while a period of drought is approaching, the water you do have may drain away too quickly.' It is therefore important to understand which type of wetting agent you are using and under which conditions. 'It's really as logical as choosing the right clothes for the weather,' he says. His main message is that wetting agents should always complement good turf management. Without water, nothing happens, he emphasises. 'It is a tool for managing water on your site,' he concludes. 'Combined with knowledge of the soil, a sound fertilisation programme and attention to local conditions, wetting agents can offer significant added value.'

Preparing for the future

Wetting agents themselves will also have to become more sustainable in the future. AQBION Biowett, an organic Triwett-type product, is now available. 'It performs very well,' says De Haan. 'For sports facilities and areas with strict environmental requirements, AQBION Biowett can offer a solution if conventional wetting agents are no longer permitted.' According to De Haan, AQBION Biowett also fits perfectly within Bion's sustainable product strategy.

Bion wetting agents

Within the AQBION range, Bion offers several types of wetting agents, each with its own application:

Triwett: combines penetration and water distribution in the upper soil layer
Penetrant: moves water quickly into deeper layers and prevents puddling
Biowett: organic version of Triwett
Dewclear: reduces dew formation on turf
TABS (tablets): targeted treatment of problem areas, also available with a seaweed formulation
Fairway (sport): budget-friendly option for larger areas
Granules: granular formulation for spreader application

This article was previously published on 14 August 2026 on the Greenkeeper](https://www.greenkeeper.nl/article/55003/wetting-agents-als-hulpmiddel-voor-duurzaam-waterbeheer]Greenkeeper) website.

Bion International B.V.

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