Diamond K Gypsum Launches New Agricultural Water Management Technologies for Improved Irrigation Water Efficiency and Drought Resilience

RICHFIELD, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As drought conditions intensify across the West, farmers and crop consultants are facing reduced irrigation allocations and potential water delivery cutbacks. Diamond K Gypsum introduces a new suite of agricultural water saving products and an online tool that improve irrigation water use efficiency, soil performance and crop resilience in drought conditions.

Aqua-Drive Elite is designed to improve water infiltration and soil moisture distribution by reducing surface tension of the water droplet and the soil. It allows irrigation water and precipitation to penetrate deeper into the root zone rather than being lost to runoff or evaporation. Key benefits include:

• High performance block polymers
• Faster water penetration into hydrophobic soils
• Better lateral and vertical movement of irrigation water
• Reduced chronic dry spots
• Reduced runoff and ponding

Diamond K Bio Algae is a concentrated soil amendment derived from beneficial algae compounds that support root growth, microbial activity in the soil and carbon cycling. Key benefits include:

• Deeper root development
• Larger root masses
• Increased plant tolerance to environment stress
• Reactivation of dormant soil microbes
• Greater drought resilience

Aqua-Drive Elite Bio combines the water management benefits of Aqua-Drive Elite with soil advantages of Diamond K Bio Algae in a single application. In recent water deficit turf research completed at University California, Bermuda grass treated with Aqua-Drive Elite Bio showed no visible negative impacts despite a 40% reduction in irrigation water during the five-month test. Key benefits include:

• Improved water infiltration
• Enhanced root growth
• Increased soil microbial activity
• Improved crop performance under drought stress

“Western crop consultants and growers know there is no silver bullet when it comes to water shortages,” says Tom Tankersley, Diamond K Gypsum director of sales. “Instead, integrated programs that address both water and soil chemistry, physics and soil biology offer the best solutions. Growers who focus on improving infiltration, retention and root efficiency are in a much better position to protect yield when irrigation water is restricted.”

According to Tankersley, Diamond K also launched a new online tool called The Water Knowledge Hub. The new digital platform contains links to university research about combating drought with water testing and water quality improvements.

For more information, visit www.diamondkgypsum.com