Why Water pH Matters More Than You Think
No matter your region or specialty - nursery, lawncare, or golf course management - water pH is a topic that continues to surface. Whether you're irrigating, disinfecting, or applying pesticides, water quality plays a critical role in your success. And at the heart of water quality is pH.
Understanding pH and Alkalinity
pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) relative to hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in water. It’s expressed on a logarithmic scale, meaning each whole number change represents a tenfold shift in ion concentration. For example, water with a pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than water with a pH of 7.
pH is often discussed alongside alkalinity, and for good reason. While pH tells you how acidic or basic your water is, alkalinity reflects the water’s capacity to resist changes in pH—its buffering ability. Water with low alkalinity can have its pH altered easily, while high-alkalinity water resists change and requires more buffering agents to adjust.
Why It Matters in the Spray Tank
Where this really comes into play is in your spray tank. The water you use to mix your tank solution immediately affects the pH of that solution - and that pH can dramatically impact the performance of your inputs.
Many commonly used pesticides, including Chlormequat Chloride, Daminozide, Ethephon, Gibberellic Acid, Glyphosate, and Captan, are less effective in high-pH environments. Reduced efficacy means reduced control, more frequent applications, and ultimately, higher costs.
Optimizing Spray Tank Chemistry
That’s where spray tank adjuvants come in. Products like Spray-007™, Spray-Rite®, and Spray-Mix® are not only designed to act as spreaders, penetrants, etc. but also to buffer high-pH water, helping maintain optimal pH levels to improve pesticide performance.
By managing your spray tank chemistry - especially pH - you can:
- Improve pesticide effectiveness
- Reduce application frequency
- Protect your investment in inputs
- Achieve more consistent results across your operation
In closing, water pH isn’t just a technical detail - it’s a key factor in your operational success. Understanding and managing it, especially in your spray tank, can make a measurable difference in performance, cost-efficiency, and plant health.
Contact your local Simplot Turf & Horticulture representative to determine which product(s) are best suited to help you address your water pH concerns.
