GCSAA, USGA to examine wetting agents

Golf Course News, Jan 2003 by Overbeck, Andrew

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the United States Golf Association's Green Section are teaming up on what could be the first of several comparative research projects that provide scientific evaluations of products that are widely used by superintendents but not widely tested by universities.

According to GCSAA's director of research, Clark Throssell, the first study will address the efficacy of wetting agents.

"We are in the process of sending the scientific protocol to university scientists to assess their interest in conducting an investigation," he said. "The plans are to start field evaluations in late spring 2003 and continue through 2004. The goal is to have evaluations on localized dry spot at eight sites across the country."

The project will cost $200,000 and will be split between the GCSAA and USGA. Throssell said the study will not look at all the wetting agents on the market, but that it will focus on the products that are more widely used by superintendents.

Many industry insiders and some superintendents are wondering why the two organizations have decided to start with a wetting agent study, as opposed to organic products or off-patent versions of Roundup.

"It was felt that the wetting agent category was one that was widely used and one which there is not much comparative research on," said Throssell. "This is intended to be a pilot project. After we finish we will see what the response is from members and industry and then determine how to handle more research."

While Throssell stresses that the project is a test case, the USGA's Green Section director Mike Kenna is hopeful that the program will expand beyond the initial study.

"We both owe it to our members to do oversight," he said. "We all know there are things that are advertised and sold that we don't know a heck of a lot about. So maybe this is something that we can provide through an ongoing research program."

If the research project is a success, Throssell said future studies could potentially include biostimulants and other products that have not been widely studied.