Harrell’s new wetting agent SurfaceRx aims to improve turf playability under stress conditions

Harrell’s, a turf management company known for its HydroMAX line of wetting agents, has introduced a new product designed to change how superintendents manage water and stress tolerance on playing surfaces.

SurfaceRx, the latest addition to the HydroMAX portfolio, incorporates osmoprotectant technology — an approach uncommon in wetting agent design. According to Harrell’s directors of agronomy, Dr. Jeff Atkinson and Dr. Raymond Snyder, the technology not only addresses water penetration and soil repellency but also supports the turf plant’s natural defenses during drought and stress conditions.

The science behind this lies in osmolytes, compounds that help plants manage internal water balance. By leveraging these natural processes, SurfaceRx is positioned to provide more than just improved moisture distribution. Independent research at Virginia Tech showed that turf treated with the product demonstrated measurable gains in leaf color, chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency and root growth under drought stress.

For golf course superintendents, the introduction of SurfaceRx could offer both resiliency and consistency in surface playability — factors tied directly to golfer experience. Unlike some new technologies, Harrell’s says the rates and safety profile align with current practices, minimizing barriers to adoption.

As weather extremes become more frequent, advances in turf protection and water management will likely draw closer scrutiny across the industry. SurfaceRx represents one company’s attempt to merge soil science with plant physiology, potentially setting a new benchmark in surfactant technology.

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