The challenge for greens keepers and landscapers has been to create beautiful environments from the worst conditions. Some of the best golf courses have some of the worst soil conditions. Sandy or clay soils with little aeration make it difficult to produce healthy growth. Water quality and conservation of water resources also create limitations making it difficult to create healthy landscapes.
The quality of irrigation water has always played a major role in health of lawns, plants and trees. Until now, the quality of available water was static. There was no economical way to improve it.
Today, with the advent of digital technology we can improve the physical chemistry of water and its ability to sustain growth processes. The improvements include better nutrient penetration into root structures; increased nutrient uptake, transpiration and reduced tip burn.
The Soo-Soft® unit is unique in operation and results. The process is physical and electrical rather than chemical. It does not remove calcium, but converts it into a soft form called calcium aragonite. This form has a particle size of 2-4 microns with the consistency of talcum powder. The treatment reduces the size of existing calcium particles not their existence.
Water treated by the Soo-Soft® system is a much better solvent. Surface tension is reduced by water treatment. The increased solubility of the treated water creates profound changes in soil and plant chemistry. The ability of the water to penetrate roots even in saline soils is greatly improved. The effect of salinity in irrigation water is reduced due to a break up of crystalline calcium formations caused by the solvency of the treated water. Repeated irrigation washes existing salts away from the roots of the plant, reducing the take up of salts into the root structures. The ability of water to carry mineral nutrients and fertilizers as well as to penetrate cell walls is also improved by this solubility increase.
Calcium is a critical plant nutrient, however in its carbonate state, it can prevent plant absorption and inhibit transpiration. The hard calcium can attach to root structures, suffocating them. This requires additional energy for plants to create new root structures. The Soo-Soft® system breaks the calcium into fine particles allowing the roots to function more efficiently. In addition, the small size of the new calcium particle improves its ability to be dissolved in water. It is six times more dissolvable in the water that carries it. This allows for greater uptake of calcium into the plants cellular structure.
Tip Burn
Tip burn typically occurs when plants lose water to the atmosphere faster than roots can replenish it. High humidity and temperature play a large part in this phenomenon as well as calcium carbonate deposition on root structures as described previously. The plants transpiration system can also be affected by calcium carbonate. The Soo-Soft® treated water with its reduced surface tension, increased solubility, and microscopic calcium particle size, all work to reduce the incidence of tip burn.
System Maintenance
Calcium, in its natural carbonate (hard) form, is abrasive. It collects inside irrigation pumps, causing premature failure. Electric solenoid valves also collect hard calcium deposits, causing them to seize. Sprinkler heads can become clogged with calcium as well. In addition, sprinkler heads can wear out prematurely from the abrasion caused by hard calcium crystals.
Calcium deposits are also a major factor in corrosion. The corrosive contaminates become trapped by calcium deposits, allowing them to corrode pipes, tanks, valves and water jackets. This corrosion reduces the life expectancy of all components using water.
Water filters of all types collect calcium deposits on their surfaces. This forces filter replacement long before the filter itself is fully utilized. The Soo-Soft® system creates 2-4 micron sized particles of calcium that simply pass through, extending filter life. This is especially important for water reclamation systems.
Hard calcium deposits are the bane of any irrigation system. The Soo-Soft® system creates a more soluble water that dissolves existing calcium deposits. This occurs throughout the irrigation system. Pipes, pumps, valves and filters are all cleared of hard deposits. This creates significant savings on large irrigation systems.
Effectiveness
Commercial Soo-Soft® systems can soften 150 gallons per minute through a 2-inch copper pipe or 300 gallons per minute through a 3-inch plastic pipe. At all flow rates they are highly effective in breaking down the hardest water into a form that is soft and silky-smooth. As they use no salt or chemicals, they are completely environmentally friendly, saving money through more effective water and fertilizer usage, paying for them instantly. Their greatest benefit is the increase in healthy growth imparted to the landscape they provide water to.
References:
A Static Magnetic Field of 125mT stimulates the Initial Growth Stages of Barley: Horedum vulgare L. E Marinez, MV Carbonell, JM Amaya-Electro and Magneto biology, 2000-Taylor & Francis
Effects of a Magnetic Field on the Growth of Primary Roots of Zea mays: R. Kato- Plant and Cell Physiology 1988
Influence of a Stationary Magnetic Field on Water Relations in Lettuce Seeds FG Reina, LA Pascual, IA Fundora – Bioelectromagnetics 2001
Magnetic Water Treatment Trials ADAS Hydroponics & Greenhouses Mar/Apr 1995
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