Test result

More soil moisture with less work: DCM HYDRO-GREEN® proves its effectiveness on a golf course

In a practical trial on tee boxes at Golf Palingbeek in the municipality of Ypres, DCM HYDRO-GREEN® clearly demonstrated its added value: an average 7 percentage point higher moisture content in the soil compared to the traditional programme with liquid fertilisers and a wetting agent. For greenkeepers, this means a more efficient way of working and a stronger-looking turf, even in dry conditions.

Trial purpose

Water plays a crucial role in lawn maintenance. Especially during dry summers, it is becoming increasingly challenging for greenkeepers to maintain soil moisture levels without constant intervention. The purpose of this trial was to find out if DCM HYDRO-GREEN® – an innovative fertiliser with integrated wetting agent – effectively increases moisture levels in the root zone and can thus provide a solution for water-repellent top layer formation and time-consuming maintenance routines. Can the turfgrass be made more drought-resistant?

How does DCM HYDRO-GREEN work?

DCM HYDRO-GREEN® combines an organo-mineral NPK fertiliser (9-3-12 + Fe + Si) with a turf-specific wetting agent in one highly convenient MINIGRAN® granule. Each granule contains exactly the same ingredients, is low in dust, can be optimally distributed thanks to its small size and is not picked up while mowing. The high content of added silicon from lava meal strengthens the cell walls, improves the availability of phosphorus in the soil and thus promotes strong rooting and healthy growth. This makes the turf more resistant to heat, drought and extreme temperature fluctuations. The extra iron (chelated with EDTA) ensures a long-lasting deep green color and excellent photosynthesis.

The integrated wetting agent plays a key role in the effect of DCM HYDRO-GREEN®: it reduces the surface tension of water, allowing it to break through the water-repellent top layer and evenly deliver the required moisture to the root zone of (drought-sensitive) soils. As a result, nutrients get to where they are needed, while leaching losses can be reduced.

Trial design

Crop	Common red fescue (Festuca rubra commutata) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
Product(s)	DCM HYDRO-GREEN® Compound organo-mineral fertiliser NPK 9-3-12 with iron, silicon and wetting agent
Dose	6 kg per 100 m²
Application method	Spreading
Period	July 2024 – September 2024
Location	Golf course - Golf Palingbeek, Ypres (Belgium)

The trial was carried out at Golf Palingbeek on the tees of holes 1 and 3, with two fertiliser applications each. Tee 1 was treated with DCM HYDRO-GREEN®, while tee 3 served as a reference and was maintained according to the classic fertilization schedule based on liquid fertilisers with a separate wetting agent. Both tees have a well-draining soil with a sandy top layer and an organic matter content of 2.9%. The desired soil moisture content was between 20 and 25%.

Tee 1 after 4 weeks

Tee 3 after 4 weeks

The four moisture measurements taken in total show a clear difference between the two programmes. In this trial, higher soil moisture levels were recorded with DCM HYDRO-GREEN. After three weeks, with the same irrigation schedule, a 7 percentage point increase was observed on tee 1 compared to tee 3 with the same irrigation schedule. After four and six weeks, this difference in soil moisture content increased to no less than 9 percentage points, finally ending at a 6.5 percentage point difference after eight weeks. And this with only two applications of DCM HYDRO-GREEN®.

Figure 1: The difference in moisture content in the root zone (%) measured at 4 moments after application.

What does this mean for the greenkeeper?

Whether you're responsible for a golf course, a sports field or a public green area, DCM HYDRO-GREEN® offers a practical solution for areas where water has difficulty penetrating or where traditional fertilization schedules are too time-consuming. The MINIGRAN® granule is easy to apply and fits perfectly into efficient management, without compromising on quality.

Greenkeepers at Golf Palingbeek not only noticed higher moisture levels in the soil, but also a visibly stronger, more resilient turf on the treated tee. And all this without the usual intensive maintenance schedule – which in turn results in time savings and more peace of mind. The main advantages at a glance:

More efficient management: one product, one application – nutrition and wetting agent in a single go.

Stronger grass: thanks to the added wetting agent, water reaches the root zone better, allowing nutrients to be absorbed more efficiently.

Less stress in drought or heat: the turf remains in good condition, even in high temperatures, during drought or intensive use.

Conclusion

With DCM HYDRO-GREEN®, you as a greenkeeper choose efficiency and results. It allows you to optimise both water management and fertilisation at the same time. The field trial shows that the turf remains visibly more vigorous and the soil moister, even in dry conditions. This is therefore a smart investment for those aiming for turf that can withstand intensive use, looks impeccable, and requires less maintenance.