Water. It is the most important resource on earth, and using it efficiently is the cornerstone of Ecologel Solutions, LLC. Based in Ocala, FL, Ecologel is a manufacturer with a mission to provide the industry with innovative technologies that help maintain exceptional quality turf & landscapes while promoting the responsible management of natural resources - particularly water!
Ecologel’s story began with Ron Hansen, an Australian chemist who developed a unique solution to reduce the watering requirements for roadway dust control during extreme drought. With a combination of food-grade hygroscopic humectant components, Hansen developed a product that utilizes atmospheric humidity and soil moisture to keep dirt roadways nominally damp for extended periods. The product, known as GelTrak®, minimizes dusting and reduces the need for frequent watering on dirt roads, construction sites, arenas, raceways, etc.
During a dry spell, Hansen decided to try GelTrak on his home lawn. After six weeks of drought, the treated section of the lawn maintained its health and color while the remaining turfgrass turned brown and began to die. He learned that when applied to turf and landscape plants, these same hygroscopic humectant components that use soil humidity to keep roadways nominally damp could also provide plant roots with extra moisture between rainfall or watering cycles. From this experiment, Hydretain® was born.
Unlike wetting agent technologies, Hydretain is not designed to address the surface tension of water. It does not improve the penetration or dispersion of water down into or throughout the root zone. It also does not swell up and store excess moisture the way that superabsorbent polymer gels do. Hydretain is a completely unique approach to soil moisture management. It attracts the moisture vapor that exists in the air space between soil particles and condenses this unusable gas form of water back into liquid droplets that plant roots can absorb. By allowing plants to use moisture that would otherwise be lost to evaporation, Hydretain delays wilt eliminates dry spot development and reduces the need for frequent watering.
Through an act of fate, Rick Irwin, President of Ecologel Solutions, formed a relationship with Hansen and was introduced to Hydretain. “Ron introduced me to Hydretain when I commented that Florida was in the midst of a severe drought,” explains Irwin. “Although water conservation had not yet become as significant as it is today, I felt that this product had tremendous potential to improve turf and landscape quality, particularly during dry periods or prolonged drought.” After initial university testing proved its efficacy, Irwin formed Ecologel to manufacture and market Hydretain in the United States.
Today, Hydretain is used on golf courses across the country to control dry spots, minimize hand watering and reduce overall water consumption. It is also used to increase seed germination and establishment with less water. New research from Western Illinois University proves that in addition to Hydretain’s benefits for water management, it also improves nutrient uptake for macro, secondary, and micronutrients.
Beyond Hydretain, many of Ecologel’s other products are centered around water. The BioPro® Technologies line includes foliar-applied nutrients that require less water for application, carbon-based solutions that improve water holding capacity as well as products to flush sodium and break down bicarbonates for improved water penetration. CytoGro® root hormone biostimulant is designed to increase root development, which helps turfgrasses and other plants improve water use efficiency. Aqua-T™ Pond Bacteria uses naturally occurring bacteria to reduce pond sludge and odors. Finally, GelTrak, the technology that started it all, is used to reduce the water needed for dust control on a variety of dirt surfaces.
In 2018, Ecologel partnered with Arborjet, Inc. Together the two companies continue to focus on solutions to merge superior quality turf, tree, and landscape management with environmental sustainability.
For more information contact Ecologel Solutions, LLC at 888-545-6307 or visit http://www.ecologel.com.