ALLEVIATION OF SOIL WATER REPELLENCY IN SAND BASED BERMUDAGRASS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

South Florida experiences a dry season that influences soil water repellency (SWR) in sand based soils. This study determined the effect of two surfactants to alleviate SWR by comparing application frequency and rates on sand based bermudagrass. Dispatch and ACA 1897, were applied at 89 ml ha^-1 and 178 ml ha^-1 monthly and 89 ml ha^-1 weekly via fertigation units to individual irrigation controlled 4 x 4 m plots. Following treatment, plots were irrigated only when signs of wilting were apparent. Plots recovered after wilting with daily irrigation until the next treatment. Visual turf quality, localized dry spot (LDS), and volumetric soil water content were assessed throughout the study. Soil cores were also collected and air dried to determine water drop penetration time (WDPT). Bermudagrass treated with weekly Dispatch and ACA 1897 treatments had the highest turf quality ratings and least percentage of LDS throughout the study. Soil moisture and WDPT times were not significantly affected by treatments. Over time, WDPT times significantly decreased with distance from soil surface. In this study, SWR was greatly reduced when applying lower rates of a surfactant more frequently.