Liquid Aeration Product

Q: I have a client that wants information about liquid aerating. I am not familiar with this. I looked online and the companies claim that it breaks the bonds that hold the clay particles together, releasing the water and leaving space for water and air movement.

Any information regarding its effectiveness or ineffectiveness would be appreciated.

A: Horticulturist Dr. Tim Smalley at the University of Georgia replies:

“I am confident that surfactants work in container media. Surfactants have been used successfully on dry spots on sandy hydrophobic soils in golf greens and other turf areas. I am not aware of any scientific work that has been conducted on uses in a clay soil landscape. Theoretically they could work, but I would be concerned about the cost and the longevity.”

Soil scientist Dr. Dave Kissel at the University of Georgia says:

“I do not have information about this product. However, there are many products on the market like this one that fail to live up to their billing. I would view it with much skepticism until the company can provide university research data showing it really works. I would not pay money for this product on the basis of unsubstantiated advertising.”

Dr. Clint Waltz at UGA says:

“I have no direct experience with this product. However, I have tested a product with similar claims and interestingly it did not change soil bulk density.

“The manufacturer claimed the greening response was due to improved rooting and aeration of the rootzone.

“When I had the nitrogen content checked, the material had enough ammonium and nitrate to expect a color response from the grass. Would you be surprised the grass turned green when nitrogen was applied?

“They did not like my results and I have not heard back from them. If soil compaction is the problem, the only relief I have encountered is physical removal of cores, allowing the soil to “relax” and change the pore structure.”