Numerator Technologies has recently commercialized two new surfactants based on a new class of alkylpolyglucoside ester surfactants derived from natural, renewable raw materials.

This new surfactant class adds new surfactant performance characteristics that can be used with other chemistries to develop truly unique and exciting performance profiles.

SOIL SURFACTANTS

PASSAGE  is an injectable soil surfactant designed to overcome problems with the infiltration and penetration of water from rainfall or irrigation events into and through soil profiles that exhibit water repellency at or near the soil surface. PASSAGE  goes beyond just correcting conditions found on the soil surface. The chemical properties of its multi-functional soil surfactants have been carefully “tuned” so their components work together to address additional hydrophobic conditions in the subsurface layers of the soil profile –conditions that may reduce infiltration capacity, create uneven hydration, reduce capillarity and disrupt the uniform distribution of water in turfgrass rootzones.

Unlike many injectable soil surfactants that utilize single surfactant technology or contain simple mixtures of different surfactants (polyblends), the construction of the PASSAGE formulation consists of two very different, high performance surfactant chemistries.

The first constituent of PASSAGE is Disotrate AGE, a new class of alkylpolyglucoside ester surfactants derived from natural, renewable raw materials. This surfactant chemistry makes a significant contribution to the infiltration performance of the PASSAGE formulation because of the large size and repulsion to water by its non-polar "tail" and the large size and attraction to water by its polar "head."

We have combined Distorate AGE with a tri-block copolymer chosen for its exceptional ability to establish or restore adhesion sites (negative sites) on water repellent surfaces. In addition,this tri-block copolymer is proven to promote uniform vertical and lateral movement of water and solutes into and through the soil profile.

This unique combination also helps prevent the disruption of the wetting front by creating sites for water attachment (reducing surface tension).
PASSAGE also contains a slow-release urea-Triazone nitrogen fertilizer solution that is both foliar and root absorbable. Spoon feeding turfgrass with light, frequent applications of nitrogen have been shown to be effective as a supplementary treatment strategy within an overall nutrient-management program.

CISTERN Soil Surfactant and Humectant Complex contains a blend of soil surfactants that will enhance plant tolerance to water deficit and heat stress by improving moisture retention in the rootzone and reducing the loss of water due to evaporation and drainage through the soil profile.

The CISTERN Soil Surfactant and Humectant Complex takes advantage of the latest surfactant technologies and humate chemistries to provide the golf course superintendent and crop production mangager with a broad spectrum solution to water deficit and heat stress that are highly detrimental to the health and growth of plants.

CISTERN contains a new class of alkylpolyglucoside ester surfactants and a highly effective tri-block co-surfactant that in combination, contribute to preventing disruption of the wetting front by creating sites for water attachment (reducing surface tension) on water repellent soil surfaces.

A humectant complex has been added to the CISTERN formulation primarily to harvest and retain ambient water in the soil profile. These humectants attract and bond with free water molecules in pore spaces. This is a net gain for plants since without the humectant constituent, this microscopic water would normally be unavailable and eventually be lost through evaporation.

Golf course superintendents will find that CISTERN is the ideal surfactant blend for use during high heat and drought stress conditions.

SPRAY ADJUVANTS

Two spray adjuvants have been recently been developed by Numerator Technologies. Each product is quite different from the other and exhibit very unique properties.

InCHECK spray adjuvant is a unique technology is designed to optimize soil directed pesticide performance on turfgrass by improving deposition of the spray application onto the intended target. In addition, InCHECK improves coverage and reduces drift and evaporation of pesticides being applied by ground or air.

InCHECK works in a very different manner as compared with most agricultural spray adjuvant products. InCHECK not only increases the average spray droplet size, but also modifies the spray droplets so they do not adhere to grass blades and thatch which improves the amount of pesticide deposited on the soil surface - reducing drift and improving the uniformity and quality of spray deposits.

Unlike other drift control adjuvants,  InCHECK does not negatively affect spray pattern -- even when using air assisted type nozzles. InCHECK should be used in conjunction with proper spray equipment selection set-up and use including boom height, nozzle type, size and pressure.

SARGE is a UVB protectant that also acts as a green dye marker. SARGE is formulated with a proprietary water soluble humic acid complex to improve the ability of both cool season and warm season turfgrass to withstand the stresses of heat, electromagnetic radiation, drought, and other types of environmental or cultural pressures.

The sun emits ultraviolet radiation in the UVA, UVB, and UVC bands. 98.7% of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth's surface is within the UVA bandwidth. UVB (shortwave) is a specific portion of the sun's energy that is only partially absorbed by the ozone layer and can damage biological organisms.

SARGE is a multi-functional spray adjuvant with humates that provides the turfgrass manager with a set of highly effective, complimentary performance properties that go beyond traditional spray indicator adjuvant technologies. SARGE can be tank mixed with fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and foliar fertilizers.

• Highly visible, dark green spray indicator that also provides protection to plants from damaging UVB rays
• Promotes accurate and uniform application of pesticides and liquid fertilizers
• Improves tolerance of turfgrass to environmental stresses
• Enhances the capability of turfgrass to withstand disease pressure
• Turfgrass recovers better following stress periods
• Improves rootzone conditions that lead to healthier and more vigorous plants
• Safe to turf and the environment