Test result

Trial shows stronger grass thanks to DCM HYDRO-GREEN® - even during droughts

A greenhouse trial conducted by DCM shows that grass fertilized with DCM HYDRO-GREEN® results in significantly more fresh weight compared to grass that is left untreated or grass that is only given a fertiliser. Thanks to the integrated wetting agent, the water can penetrate and distribute more efficiently in the root zone, and the grass grows better. In combination with a sophisticated turf-specific fertiliser formula, the grass also retains a deep green colour for longer, even during long dry periods.

Trial purpose

Garden contractors, public green space managers and sports field and golf course greenkeepers face the same challenge every season: how to maintain a strong, evenly green turf despite longer periods of drought or intensive use? Conventional solutions often require multiple treatments with separate products for nutrition and water management, which takes extra time and can lead to an uneven result.

With the introduction of DCM HYDRO-GREEN®, we offer an integrated solution that combines nutrition and water management in a single application. With this greenhouse trial, we wanted to see if grass grows better, even under stressful conditions, thanks to the new product’s 2-in-1 formula – an organo-mineral lawn fertiliser with integrated wetting agent.

How does DCM HYDRO-GREEN work?

DCM HYDRO-GREEN® combines nutrition and water management in one smart MINIGRAN® granule – each containing exactly the same proportions of fast- and slow-release nitrogen, extra potassium, silicon and iron. A unique feature, however, is the addition of a wetting agent that improves water penetration into the soil, even in dry and therefore water-repellent soil. The nutrients reach the root zone directly, thanks to minimal leaching. The result is a deep green turf. The lava meal in the granule provides the silicon, which is important for turfgrass, as it increases the mobility of phosphorus and thus physically strengthens the grass plant, while the organic components also nourish soil life. The result: a strong turf with improved rooting and growth, higher nutrient uptake and greater resilience to drought, heat and treading.

Trial design

Crop	Grass
Product(s)	DCM HYDRO-GREEN® Compound organo-mineral fertiliser NPK 9-3-12 with iron, silicon and wetting agent
Dose	4 g/l
Application method	Mixed in + top dressing
Period	September 2023 - May 2024
Location	Greenhouse (container trial) Scientia Terrae

Three treatments were compared during the trial: :

Blank: no fertilization

Reference: regular fertilization without silicon and wetting agent

Test: fertilization with silicon + wetting agent (DCM HYDRO-GREEN®)

During the trial, the grass was deliberately exposed to two periods of drought lasting four and five weeks respectively. The condition of the grass was monitored and evaluated both visually and quantitatively during the trial, focusing on the fresh weight of the grass clippings and the amount of moisture retained by the soil.

Results

The results speak for themselves. At all measurement moments before, during and after the first drought period, the test object fertilized with DCM HYDRO-GREEN® performed significantly better than the grass in the blank and reference containers. Significantly more grass clippings were measured each time.

Better growth with DCM HYDRO-GREEN®

Figure 1: The difference in fresh clipping weight (amount in grams) on 19 October 2023, before the first four-week drought period.

Figure 2: The difference in fresh clipping weight (amount in grams) on 12 December 2023, during the first four-week drought period.

Figure 3: The difference in fresh clipping weight (amount in grams) on 28 December 2023, at the end of the first four-week drought period.

Figure 4: The difference in fresh clipping weight (amount in grams) on 15 January 2024, after the first four-week drought period.

Please note: The higher volume of grass clippings does not indicate "faster growth", but improved, healthy regrowth and increased vitality of the grass, even in difficult conditions. In practice, this results in a more even turf with fewer bare or brown spots, and therefore less maintenance and repair.

More water uptake during drought

During the drought period, the moisture content of the soil in the test object was noticeably higher than in the other two objects. The blank and reference objects had a stable course, while the moisture content in the DCM HYDRO-GREEN® treated variant increased by 10 percentage points – a direct effect of the turf-specific wetting agent in the product.

In the second phase of the study, the three objects were visually evaluated after a new drought.

Blank

Reference

with HYDRO-GREEN®

^{Figure 5: The crops on 29 February 2024, after eight mowing sessions and during a second drought.}

What does this mean for you?

The main advantage of DCM HYDRO-GREEN® remains its work efficiency: a single go is enough to carry out fertilization and water management at the same time. However, the plants also benefit: a stronger root system, increased water retention in the soil and better nutrient availability ensure a vital, robust turf that is less susceptible to damage and more resistant to abiotic stress such as drought and heat. This also results in a more visually appealing turf: with more colour, less bare spots and a thick sward, even during hot, particularly dry months.

Conclusion

This trial clearly shows that DCM HYDRO-GREEN® is a powerful asset for any professional lawn management programme. The combination of fertiliser and wetting agent in one product saves time and improves turf grass quality. Even during a prolonged drought, the test variant in this trial continued to perform significantly better than the references.