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O'Fallon, Ill. — June 22, 2016 — Researchers from Purdue University have proven through a comprehensive research study that using H2OExcel, a natural water conservation agent developed by Brookside Agra, significantly reduces the amount of water, energy and fertilizer needed to grow healthy turf.
"I started using H2OExcel with the downturn in the economy, and demands from golfers were high to continue to provide excellent golf course conditions ," said Mike Daugherty, superintendent at Sunset Hills Country Club in St. Louis. "So we were looking for ways to save money anywhere possible. The product has helped me in water usage, labor savings, and getting more bang for our buck on our fertilizer applications."
H2OExcel is a 100 percent biodegradable solution made up of natural ingredients assembled to function as a water conservation agent and nutrient efficiency booster. This unique product is a proprietary formula from Brookside Agra that uses the power of natural extracts from desert plants, which have an increased ability to absorb and store water more efficiently than others. H2OExcel has the unique ability to reduce soil and water surface tension, thereby allowing soils to absorb and retain water much faster than normal. H2OExcel affects the soil capillarity in a way that water can infiltrate faster and deeper than normal. H2OExcel can decrease water use by 30 to 50 percent, thus reducing the amount of water required per application, which in turn reduces costs for families and business owners.
"Water will always take the path of least resistance and simply run off. This common occurrence leads to the over-watering and fertilization of plants, crops, and yards because water cannot reach the root system," said Chad Vaninger, executive vice president of global business development, Brookside Agra. "The power of H2O Excel’s long-term use is that it creates a soil profile that allows oxygen and water to naturally penetrate the surface, thus allowing fertilizers and nutrients a more efficient path to the root zone.”
Dr. Cale A. Bigelow, associate professor of agronomy - turf grass science, conducted the Purdue University turf treatment studies from late May 2013 to early August 2013. The study area consisted of a sand-based rootzone conforming to USGA rootzone specifications and a mature stand of creeping bentgrass. The turf was maintained according to typical, moderate putting-green management practices for the region and fertilizer, insecticides, and fungicides were applied on an as-needed basis.
The turf treatment studies compared the use of Brookside Agra's H2OExcel, the leading competitor's product, and the untreated control at various application rates and timings/frequencies. The plots were assessed for overall visual turf grass quality, wilted/brown turf, and turf injury. Canopy greenness by reflectance was also measured and values were presented in a color index value.
The research concluded that turf treated with H2OExcel and the leading competitor’s product displayed significantly less wilt and healthier visual/turf quality to the untreated control turf. However, the natural H2OExcel results were accomplished using 86 percent less product than the leading chemical-based competitor to achieve virtually the same outcome for these studies.
"These results are truly significant," said Dr. Donald Riesenberg, president, Brookside Agra. "Water is one of the earth's most precious resources, and for Brookside Agra to formulate a natural, cost-effective solution is an important step in our mission to help assist the world in reducing the use of water."
H2OExcel, which can be blended with fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, is safe for use on golf course fairways, tee boxes and greens, crops, landscaping, and vegetable gardens, among other uses. H2OExcel's product ingredients are on the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list, which is approved by both the FDA and AAFCO.
Brookside Agra is a global fifth-generation, family-owned business based in O'Fallon, Ill. It manufactures and distributes specially formulated all-natural feed ingredients and natural environmental and agricultural products. For more information, visit www.brookside-agra.com.
