Researchers from the University of Central Missouri and Purdue University have proven through two separate studies that using H2O Excel, an all-natural water conservation agent developed by Brookside Agra, significantly reduces the amount of water, energy and fertilizer needed to grow healthy turf.

All-natural water conservation agent reduces the need for water

Researchers from the University of Central Missouri and Purdue University have proven through two separate studies that using H2O Excel, an all-natural water conservation agent developed by Brookside Agra, significantly reduces the amount of water, energy and fertilizer needed to grow healthy turf.


H20 Excel is an all-natural, biodegradable solution functioning as a water conservation agent. This unique product is a proprietary blend of desert plant extracts, which have the natural ability to efficiently use less water than other types of plant life. H2O Excel, which is applied by diluting it with water, acts to reduce the surface tension to allow soils to absorb water three to five times faster.  H2O Excel can decrease water usage by 30% to 50%, thereby, reducing the amount of water required per application, which in turn reduces costs for families and business owners.


Purdue University Turf Study


Dr. Cale A. Bigelow, Associate Professor of Agronomy – Turfgrass Science, conducted the Purdue University turf treatment studies from late May 2013 to early August 2013.  The study area consisted of a sand-based rootzone conforming to USGA rootzone specifications and a mature stand of creeping bentgrass. The turf was maintained according to typical, moderate putting green management practices for the region and fertilizer, insecticides and fungicides were applied on an as-needed basis.


The turf treatment studies compared the use of Brookside Agra’s H2O Excel, the leading competitor’s product and the untreated control at various application rates and timings/frequencies. The plots were assessed for overall visual turf grass quality, wilted/brown turf and turf injury. Canopy greenness by reflectance was also measured and values were presented in a color index value.


The research concluded that turf treated with H2O Excel and the leading competitor’s product displayed significantly less wilt and healthier visual/turf quality to the untreated control turf. However, the all-natural H2O Excel results were accomplished using 86% less product than the leading chemical-based competitor to achieve virtually the same outcome for these studies.


“Water will always take the path of least resistance and simply run-off. This common occurrence leads to the over watering and fertilization of plants, crops and yards because water cannot reach the root system,” said Chad Vaninger, Brookside Agra Executive Vice President of Global Business Development. “The power of H2O Excel’s long-term use is that it creates a soil profile that allows oxygen and water to naturally penetrate the surface, thus allowing fertilizers and nutrients a more efficient path to the root zone.”


University of Central Missouri Tomato Plant Study


Dr. Mark Goodwin, Associate Professor of Agriculture-Horticulture at the University of Central Missouri, conducted the tomato plant study at the university’s research facility from April 2013 through July 2013. The basis for the study was to measure the amount of water that was needed to grow healthy tomato plants.  The research plot consisted of 28 tomato plants, with the first 14 plants applied with H2O Excel and the remaining 14 left untreated. All plants were watered and fertilized only when the moisture levels dropped below optimal levels for growth. 


The results of Dr. Goodwin’s study proved that the tomato plants grown using H2O Excel required 24% less gallons of water, 21% less electrical power and 7% less fertilizer than the control group of tomato plants. Dr. Goodwin also concluded that with the use of H2O Excel,  “There were no statistical differences in plant heights between the control and treated plants, but the treated plants, on average, produced larger fruit counts than the control plants.”


“These results are truly significant,” said Dr. Donald Riesenberg, President of Brookside Agra. “Water is one of the earth’s most precious resources, and for Brookside Agra to formulate an all-natural, cost effective solution is an important step in our mission to help assist the world in reducing the use of water.”


H2O Excel, which can be blended with fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, is safe for use on golf course fairways, tee boxes and greens, crops, landscaping and vegetable gardens, among other uses. H2O Excel’s product ingredients are on the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list, which is approved by both the FDA and AAFCO.


Brookside Agra is a global fifth-generation, family-owned business based in O’Fallon, IL that manufactures and distributes specially formulated all-natural feed ingredients and all-natural environmental products for the world.  Brookside Agra offers a complete line of high-quality, research-proven and cost-effective, all-natural products, which when used properly will help improve the performance of both plants and all groups of livestock, poultry, companion animals and aquaculture.  For more information about Brookside-Agra, visit www.brookside-agra.com or contact Tony Arro – Director of Sales – North America at 618-628-8300 Ext. 24 or tony.arro@brookside-agra.com.