Eco-Wet® Trial Data Demonstrates Soil Wetting Efficacy For Enhancing Plant Establishment In Broadacre

What's new?

In February 2025, Ecogrowth engaged Cultivate Research Solutions to undertake a replicated small plot evaluation looking at the efficacy of Eco-Wet^® compared to SACOA SE14^TM in a soil wetter evaluation for Canola cropping systems at Dalyup, WA, on a non-wetting soil. Data from 32 days after treatment (DAT) are summarised below.

How does Eco-Wet^® work?

Eco-Wet^® contains 3 components of action – Penetrant, Moisture Retainer, Activator

• Penetrant - Eco-Wet^® utilises both fast-acting and controlled-release surfactant technology containing polar and non-polar properties to facilitate the initial rapid ‘breaking’ of repellency, allowing moisture entry into the soil.

• Retainer - Eco-Wet^® also contains a polymer humectant retainer that exhibits significant capillary action. This action promotes the ‘wicking’ of water (via capillary action) to the treated area around the seed. The humectant in Eco-Wet® facilitates the holding or retention of moisture in the treated area, which aids in crop establishment.
• Activator – The presence of a humate fraction in Eco-Wet^® assists in holding essential nutrients and moisture in place in the treated around the seed and promotes soil microbial activity. This in turn can boost early root growth, optimising nutrient uptake and promoting early season plant vigour.

* Indicates significant difference to untreated control (p < 0.05, Duncan’s multiple range test).

Values followed by the same letter (a, b) are not significantly different (p < 0.05) by Duncan’s multiple range test.

Key Findings

No significant difference at a 95% confidence level between Eco-Wet^® & SACOA SE14^TM, applied at 3L/ha for Canola plant establishment measured at 32 DAT in a replicated trial at Dalyup, WA, on a non-wetting soil. Application via a tube into seed slot using 300mm (12inch) tyne spacing.

Conclusions

• Early evaluation data examining the performance of Eco-Wet^® suggest it can aid crop establishment on non-wetting soils.
• The composition of Eco-Wet^® includes penetrants to aid water infiltration and overcoming repellence as well as humates to retain moisture around the seed and to hold nutrients in the same area of wetted soil and promote soil microbial activity.
• Eco-Wet^® provides an economically attractive alternative to other soil wetters on the market – Pricing at $5,085ex /1,000L IBC
• Replicated trial data demonstrating the similar performance of Eco-Wet^® to market-leading wetter SACOA SE14^TM.
• Contact your Ecogrowth Technical Account Manager for enquiries
  • Gary gary@ecogrowth.com.au
  • Dan dan@ecogrowth.com.au