H2flo 6pp brochure apples

Grow more with less

• Reduce your water usage by

up to 25% • Increase or maintain crop cropyields yields with with less less water water

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WETTING AGENT

What is

?

H2Flo is a concentrated formulation of the latest surfactant technologies available, H2Flo leads the way as a wetting and water conservation agent.

Once it is mixed with water, H2Flo reduces the surface tension, allowing water to penetrate the soil by spreading across the soil particles. It promotes both vertical and horizontal movement of the water, including in a range of soils, leading to more uniform distribution in the root zone.

Application rates

Features and Benefits

Timing

H2Flo rate

Initial application in crop

1.2 - 2.4 liter/ha

Monthly in crop

0.6 - 1.2 liter/ha

H2Flo can be applied all year round, by drip, center pivot and overhead irrigation. (If applied via a boom sprayer please consult your local ICL Speciality Fertilizers adviser or dealer.)

• Save up to 25% water without reduction in yield - H2Flo significantly reduces irrigation requirements* • Can be used in conjunction with fertilizers** • Readily absorbed by all types of soil • Is effective through the soil and substrate, not just the surface • Improves water penetration and improves horizontal and vertical water movement • Flexible application and flexible water rates • H2Flo is a residual in the soil and aids rewetting cycles * Proven in official trial stations, please contact ICL for more details. ** Subject to compatibility with fertiliser, where compatibility information is not available a jar test is recommended.

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in practice Did you know?

Untreated

Agriculture is by far the largest consumer of Earth’s available fresh water, reaching 70% of the total usage. (Aquastat)

Water + H2 Flo

Water

How does H2Flo work beneath the surface?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Water

Water can be considered a vital nutrient as it is involved in essential plant functions including root development, growth, turgor and even photosynthesis amongst others. irrigation pipe

Soil depth (cm)

Soil depth (cm)

irrigation pipe

Plant fact

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Water with H2Flo

The importance of water wetting and water conservations agents Low infiltration and puddling can lead to both runoff and evaporation which results in inefficient water use. The high surface tension of standard water can limit infiltration and also leads to preference flow when infiltrated, particularly into the soil.

In such situations, the soil can easily become dry and extra water is needed to properly wet the soil to avoid yield losses. This could lead to increased irrigation costs for water, energy and labour.

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Getting more from your water with H2Flo why we need a wetting agent H2Flo breaks the surface tension of water and negates preferential flow of water ° ° Wetting Agent

Non-polar

• When H2Flo is added°to the water, the water is °no

° • Water is di-polar with positive and negative ends ° • Water is repelled by hydrophobic conditions causing problems with water penetration and run off

°

Water

longer repelled by the soil, increasing penetration, reducing water logging and run off and increasing water around the root zone of the crop

• The non-polar portion of the wetting agent bonds

with non-polar hydrophobic conditions, whilst the polar portion bonds with the water providing a link

°

Water + H2 Flo

Water

Water + H2 Flo

1 H2Flo reduces surface tension and spreads the water over a larger surface area and therefore improving infiltration and helping negate preferential flow

Water

2

Water + H2 Flo

Whilst standard wetting agents will infiltrate over a larger area, water will still be subjected to preferential flow

Water

Water + H2 Flo

3 H2Flo’s blend of surfactants allow for lateral

movement within the soil providing a larger area of water availability in the root zone of the crop

Trial set up Objective: Demonstrate that applying H2Flo with reduced irrigation volumes will maintain or increase yield.

Location:

FAST, Kent, UK

Crop:

Apple/Cox la Vera

Application method:

Irrigation with drip tape

Soil type:

Clay loam

Assessments: Total Yield & Soil moisture

Standard practice The water was supplied via irrigation system without the usage of any water conservation agents.

Treatment: 100% irrigation

H2Flo The addition of H2Flo in the irrigation system was done monthly from June till August.

Treatment: 75% irrigation + H2Flo Dosage of H2Flo: 1.2 ltr/ha with first irrigation and 0.6 ltr/ha for monthly application in the period mentioned above.

H2Flo shows no detrimental effects on yields with less water usage.

Increased soil moisture at 35-55cm depths

Reduced soil moisture at 35-55cm depths

Control Graphs demonstrate deeper penetration of irrigation water with the H2Flo treatment despite 25% less irrigation volume. Soil moisture levels are greater for the 35-55cm depths with the H2Flo treated plots.

Reduction in volume of water with the H2Flo treatment

335m3/ha

Average cost of water in trial area

Approx. £1 per m3

Average cost of water saving

£335/ha

Extra cost of H2Flo treatment

£36/ha

Extra income with H2 Flo over standard practice

£299/ha

Energy savings with reduction in irrigation time for H2Flo treatment

11 hours

Conclusions • By using H2Flo, the yield was maintained despite the reduced irrigation water by 25%.

• H2Flo provided an extra income of £299/ha compared to normal grower practice (100% irrigation), achieved from reduced irrigation water, reduced energy costs are not included.

• H2Flo treatment enhanced soil moisture at depths of 35, 45 and 55cm.

To order your ICL products or get the latest information and advice Call +44 (0)1473 237 111 Email prof.sales@icl-group.com Web www.icl-sf.co.uk www.icl-sf.ie The information contained in this brochure is correct at time of going to print. According to the availability of raw materials and other factors. ÂŽ registered Trademark of ICL and affiliates.