Turf and soil drought stress treatment comprising a siloxane and a polyalkalene oxide surfactant

Abstract

Turf or soil is treated to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation by applying directly to the turf or soil a composition comprising an organosilicone and a polyalkylene oxide surfactant.

Description

This invention relates to a method of treating turf and soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve water conservation in soil.

In dry periods, turf can be affected by drought stress. This can manifest itself in a number of ways, and in extreme cases the turf may die. Turfgrass maintained on light soil, e.g. sand rootzone golf greens and links golf courses, is particularly prone to drought stress as is turf which is grown in generally poor soil conditions. Curiously, drought stress not only occurs in dry conditions, but also in relatively wet seasons due, for example, to rootbreaks, buried materials close to the surface, or through general inefficiency of an irrigation system. Soils can also suffer drought stress. Thus, on heavy soils, one of the first signs of drought stress is that surface cracks appear on the soil. It will be appreciated that drought stress, in all its various forms, is undesirable and that it would be advantageous to avoid or reduce it.

So-called soil "capping", i.e. crusting of the soil surface, can occur due to the pounding action of raindrops on soil. Capping can give rise to various problems, especially in seedbeds on light soils where it can prevent or reduce seedling emergence, thus resulting in a patchy, uneven sward. It would be desirable to be able to avoid soil capping, or at least reduce its effects.

In many places, water is becoming an ever decreasing resource, as is evidenced by dry rivers, low water tables and frequent restrictions on water usage. Further, in times of water shortage, it is often amenity users of water (e.g. golf courses etc.) where restrictions are enforced. It would, therefore be highly advantageous to be able to treat turf and soil so as generally to improve their water conservation so as to promote efficient use and minimise wastage.

We have investigated these various problems of drought stress, soil capping and water conservation, and we have found a way of treating turf and/or soil whereby these problems can be reduced or overcome.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of treating turf or soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation, which comprises applying directly to the turf or soil an aqueous solution of a composition consisting essentially of

a) from 1 to 99% by weight of an organosilicone compound of the general formula MD.sub.Y D'.sub.X M where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2, D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO and D' is CH.sub.3 RSiO, where R=(CH.sub.2).sub.n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.a (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R.sub.1, R.sub.1 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkyl ester group wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms: n is from 2 to 4; a is from 3 to 25; b is from 0 to 25; wherein Y is from 0 to 5; and X is from 1 to 5: and b) from 99 to 1% by weight of at least one surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide compounds with the general formula R.sub.2 --O--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.c (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.d R.sub.3 where c is 0 to 300, d is 0 to 300, and R.sub.3 is H, or an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; wherein the polyalkylene oxide has a molecular weight in the range 300 to 15000; and a second different surfactant.

Some of the compositions which are used in accordance with the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,647. This patent describes a surfactant blend comprising 1 to 99 weight percent of an organosilicone surfactant and 1 to 99% weight percent of a polyalkyleneoxide copolymer, wherein

(i) the organosilicone surfactant is of the general formula: MD'.sub.x M (I) wherein: M is Me.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 D' is MeRSiO, Me is CH.sub.3 R is CnH.sub.2n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.a (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R' n is from 2 to 4, a is 3 to 25, b is from 0 to 25, R' is hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkyl ester group wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms. x is 1 to 5; and (ii) the polyalkyleneoxide copolymer is of the general formula: R"O--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.c (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.d --R"(II) wherein: c is 0 to 300, d is 1 to 300, and R" is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms: and wherein the organosilicone surfactant is soluble in the polyalkyleneoxide copolymer.

The above U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,647 describes the surfactant blends as useful as pesticide adjuvants. Thus, they are mixed with pesticides (or other active materials) and then the mixture is applied to plants and crops as desired. The surfactant blend serves to increase the dispersing, wetting and spreading of the pesticides. The spreading characteristics are particularly important.

In contrast to the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,647, the surfactant compositions of the present invention are not used as adjuvants. Thus, they are not mixed with active materials to assist in the dispersing, wetting and spreading of actives such as pesticides. Instead, they are applied as they are directly on to turf or soil. We have found that, very surprisingly, this results in the treated turf being less prone to drought stress, and the treated soil being less prone to soil capping. Furthermore, and very importantly, the treated soil (as such or below the treated turf) retains its moisture content better than untreated soil, and thus there is an improvement in water conservation.

Whilst some of the compositions used in the present invention are described for use as adjuvants in U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,647, other compositions of the present invention are novel per se and form an aspect of the invention.

Thus, the invention provides a composition for treating turf or soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation, which composition consists essentially of an aqueous solution of:

a) from 1 to 99% by weight of an organosilicone compound of the general formula MD.sub.Y D'.sub.X M where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2. D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO and D' is CH.sub.3 RSiO, where R=(CH.sub.2).sub.n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.a (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R.sub.1, R.sub.1 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkyl ester group wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n is from 2 to 4; a is from 3 to 25; b is from 0 to 25; wherein Y is from 0 to 5; and X is from 1 to 5; and b) from 99 to 1% by weight of a second surfactant of the formula R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n R.sub.5 where n is 1 to 50; R.sub.4 is an alkyl group of up to 20 carbon atoms, or an aryl group optionally having an alkyl substituent with up to 20 carbon atoms; R.sub.5 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The invention also provides a composition for treating turf or soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation, which composition consists essentially of an aqueous solution of:

a) from 1 to 99% by weight of an organosilicone compound of the general formula MD.sub.Y D'.sub.X M where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2, D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO and D' is CH.sub.3 RSiO, where R=(CH.sub.2).sub.n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.a (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R.sub.1, R.sub.1 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkyl ester group wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n is from 2 to 4; a is from 3 to 25; b is from 0 to 25; wherein Y is from 0 to 5; and X is from 1 to 5; and b) a second surfactant of the formula R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n R.sub.5 where n is 1 to 50; R.sub.4 is an alkyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms, or an aryl group optionally having an alkyl substituent with up to 20 carbon atoms; R.sub.5 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. c) a polyalkylene oxide surfactant of general formula R.sub.2 --O--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.c (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.d R.sub.3 where c is 0 to 300; d is 0 to 300; R.sub.3 is selected from H and alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; the polyalkylene oxide having a molecular weight of 300 to 15000; wherein the total amount by weight of (b) and (c) is from 99% to 1%.

Preferred second surfactants in the compositions used in the invention are of the general formulae ##STR1##

C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.x H Of these preferred second surfactants, alkylarylethoxylates are especially preferred, of which the nonyl phenol ethoxylate of formula ##STR2## is an example. Another preferred compound has the formula C.sub.12 H.sub.25 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.7 H These second surfactants actually prevent spreading of the compositions, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,647 teaches against their use for its quite different purposes.

In the method of the invention, the composition of surfactants will preferably be essentially free from other actives. The composition may consist only of the components (a), (b) and (c) if present, dissolved in water.

Various polyalkyleneoxide copolymers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,647 such as Pluronics (trademark)., Ucon (trademark) and Poly-Tergents (trademark) and these can be used in the present invention. Thus, for example, Pluronic PE 6200 can be used, which has the formula

HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.x (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.y (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.z H and an average molecular weight of approximately 2500 and an ethylene oxide content of 20% w/w.

The polyalkylene oxide component used in the present invention preferably has a molecular weight of from 300 to 3000. In the formula given above for the polyalkylene oxide, c is preferably from 4 to 15, and (independently of c) d is preferably from 2 to 10. Preferably, the polyalkylene oxide is a polypropylene glycol polymer, for example PPG 400, PPG 1200, PPG 2000 or PPG 4000, which have the formula:

HO(CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.x H

In the organosilicone component, n is preferably 3, and (independently of n) a is preferably from 3 to 15. The value of b is preferably from 0 to 15.

The organosilicones which can be used in the present invention are those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,647, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Among the preferred organosilicones for use in the invention are those in the following Table:

______________________________________ END Molecular TYPE RATIO EO/PO CAP Weight______________________________________Silwet L77 AP All E/O Me 600Silwet L720 AEB 50/50 Bu 12,000Silwet L722 AEB All P/O Bu 3,000Siiwet L7001 AP 40/60 Me 20,000Silwet L7002 AP 50/50 Bu 8,000Silwet L7200 AP 75/25 H 19,000Silwet L7210 AP 20/80 H 13,000Silwet L7230 AP 40/60 H 29,000Silwet L7500 AP All P/O Bu 3,000Silwet L7600 AP All E/O Me 4,000Silwet L7602 AP All E/O Me 3,000Silwet L7604 AP All E/O H 4,000Silwet L7605 AP All E/O Me 6,000Silwet L7607 AP All E/O Me 1,000Silwet L7622 AP All E/O Me 10,000Silwet 408 AP All E/O H .about.600______________________________________

In the above Table,

AP=Alkyl pendant (non hydrolyzable) AEB=Alkoxy Endblocked (hydrolyzable) Me=Methyl Bu=Butyl H=Hydrogen E/O=Ethylene Oxide P/O=Propylene Oxide

Of the above, the most preferred are Silwet L77 and Silwet 408. We also prefer Silgard 309, Tergopren 5840 and Tergopren 5878 (from Goldschmidt) which are also very close in structure and molecular weight to Silwet L77 and Silwet 408 but whose precise structure and molecular weight are unpublished. Silwet L77 has the structure: ##STR3## wherein y=0, x=1, n=3, a=7.5 and b=0 with R.sub.1 being a methyl group. This material is available in the market place. Silwet 408 is an uncapped organosilicone, i.e. an organosilicone without a methyl group at the end of the ethylene oxide chain.

Among the polyalkylene oxide surfactants which can be used in the present invention are the following:

______________________________________Polyalkylene Oxide Surfactants from BASF: AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT %SURFACTANT WEIGHT ETHYLENE OXIDE______________________________________Pluronic PE3100 1100 10%Pluronic PE4300 1700 30%Pluronic PE6100 2000 10%Pluronic PE6200 2500 20%Pluronic PE6400 3000 40%Pluronic PE6800 8500 80%Pluronic PE8100 2600 10%Pluronic PE9200 3650 20%______________________________________Products from ICI:SURFACTANT AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT______________________________________Synperonic L35 1900Synperonic F38 5000Synperonic L42 1630Synperonic L44 2200Synperonic L61 2000Synperonic L62 2500Synperonic L62LF 2450Synperonic L64 2900Synperonic L68 8350Synperonic P75 4150Synperonic L81 2750Synperonic P85 4600Synperonic F87 7700Synperonic F88 10800Synperonic L92 3650Synperonic P94 4600Synperonic L101 3800Synperonic P103 4950Synperonic F108 1400Synperonic L121 4400Synperonic F127 12500______________________________________

Other block polymers include those produced by the liquid condensation of propylene oxide on an ethylene oxide base e.g.:

______________________________________SURFACTANT AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT______________________________________Synperonic PE/25R2 3200Synperonic L31 1100Synperonic L43 1850Synperonic L63 2650Synperonic P65 3400Synperonic L72 2750Synperonic F77 6600Synperonic P84 4200Synperonic F98 13500Synperonic P104 5850Synperonic P105 6500Synperonic L122 5000Synperonic P123 5750______________________________________

Other polyalkylene oxide surfactants include:

______________________________________SURFACTANT AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT______________________________________Polyglycol P2000E 2000Polyglycol P400E 400Polyglycol P1200E 1200Hodag PPGI50 150Hodag PPG400 400Hodag PPG1200 1200Hodag PPG2000 2000Hodag PPG4000 4000Voranol P1010 1010______________________________________

Other manufacturers have products similar to these which are known to those skilled in the art of surface chemistry.

Among the second surfactants which can be used in the present invention are the following alkyl phenol ethoxylates:

(a) Those manufactured by Atcros formerly Lankro Chemicals include: ______________________________________ NO. OF MOLES OF HYDROPHOBE ETHYLENE OXIDE______________________________________Ethylan NP1 Nonylphenol 1Ethylan 44 Nonylphenol 4Ethylan 55 Nonylphenol 5.5Ethylan 77 Nonylphenol 6.5Ethylan TU Nonylphenol 8Ethylan BCP Nonylphenol 9Ethylan KEO Nonylphenol 9.5Ethylan DP Nonylphenol 12Ethylan BV Nonylphenol 14Ethylan 20 Nonylphenol 20Ethylan N30 Nonylphenol 30Ethylan HA Nonylphenol 35______________________________________ (b) Linear alcohol ethoxylates: ______________________________________ HYDROBE No of Mols of Ethylene Oxide______________________________________Synperonic A2 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 2Synperonic A3 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 3Synperonic A4 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 4Synperonic A6 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 6Synperonic A7 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 7Synperonic A9 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 9Synperonic A11 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 11Synperonic A14 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 14Synperonic A20 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 20Synperonic A50 C.sub.13-15 alcohol 50Synperonic 91/2.5 C.sub.9-11 alcohol 2.5Synperonic 91/5 C.sub.9-11 alcohol 5Synperonic 91/6 C.sub.9-11 alcohol 6Synperonic 91/8 C.sub.9-11 alcohol 8Synperonic 91/10 C.sub.9-11 alcohol 10Dobanol 25-3 C.sub.12-15 alcohol 3Dobanol 25-7 C.sub.12-15 alcohol 7Dobanol 25-9 C.sub.12-15 alcohol 9______________________________________

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, the following Examples and tests are given by way of illustration only.

A series of laboratory tests and field trials were carried out on a range of materials in accordance with the present invention, as well as a control of pure water, and a comparative example of a commercially known material. These tests included assessment of the ability to dissolve in cold water, stay in solution and not produce excessive foam. Materials were also tested for phytotoxic effects.

Laboratory based water conservation tests, were carried out, as well as trials on two field sites. The data from these tests are included in Table 1, with the samples tested being as follows:

______________________________________Sample No. Formulation______________________________________1 Control - water2 Silwet L77 and Pluronic PE62003 and PPG 40004 and nonyl phenol ethoxylate5 and PPG 4006 and PPG 12007 Uncapped Siloxane TP408 and PPG 4008 Silwet L77 and PPG 1200 and nonyl phenol ethoxylate9 Silwet L77 and PPG 1200 and nonyl phenol ethoxylate______________________________________

Pluronic PE6200 is as defined previously herein.

Siloxane TP408 is the same as Silwet L77 (previously defined herein) except that it is uncapped, i.e. the terminal methyl group of the polyalkylene oxide chain is replaced by hydrogen.

PPG 4000 is polypropylene glycol of formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.x H of molecular weight 4000.

PPG 400 is polypropylene glycol of formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.x H of molecular weight 400.

PPG 1200 is polypropylene glycol of formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.x H of molecular weight 1200.

In the laboratory, test conditions resembling those of a semi-arid climate were created using, a "light frame". This consisted of a metal box frame measuring 2 m .times.1 m.times.1 m on top of which were suspended 6 fluorescent light tubes. The apparatus was bench mounted and the lights connected to a timer set at 16 hr illumination, 8 hr darkness daily. A max-min thermometer recorded a daily day-time maximum of 35.degree. C. and night minimum of 16.degree. C.

Using a golf green hole cutter, turf cores were taken to a depth of 6 cm and the soil surface of each core was sealed using a plastic bag and rubber band, so that only the turfgrass surface was exposed. Each core (10 replicates per treatment) was watered with the material under test at equivalent field rates of 5 ml/m.sup.2 turf area. Each core was weighed daily to determine moisture loss over time. The results are presented as % moisture loss compared to the control (water) loss in Table 1.

The material under test was applied at normal and double application rates (1 ml and 2 ml/m.sup.2 respectively) in a spray volume of 100 ml/m.sup.2 water, left unwatered to dry on the turf surface, and checked to see if there were any signs of burning or scorching, or other phytotoxic effects. These tests were done both in the laboratory and the field test work.

The field tests were carried out at Royal Liverpool GC and Gan ton GC, where areas of unirrigated fairway were chosen and for each material under test 2.times.5 m.sup.2 plots were marked out. The materials were applied at an application rate of 5 ml/m.sup.2 in 500 ml water using a watering can with dribble bar attachment. Grass vigour in each plot was assessed by an area quadrat method where the % ground cover of healthy grass was recorded.

TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________ Laboratory Field Trials Stays in Water Conservations Ground Cover SoilDissolves Solution Excessive Days After Treatment Months After Treatment MoistureSample Cold Water 5 mins. Foaming Phytotoxic 3 5 10 1 2 3 4 %__________________________________________________________________________1 -- -- -- -- 100 100 100 22 42 39 64 8.6 49 55 44 602 No Yes Yes No 93.5 76.5 98.4 65 59 49 58 -- -- -- --3 No With No No 93.8 77.0 98.2 60 61 60 62 Agitation -- -- -- --4 Yes Yes No Slight 92.8 83.7 97.9 -- -- -- -- 9.0 62 65 65 645 Yes Yes Yes No 89.8 82.6 97.1 79 82 72 79 -- -- -- --6 Yes With Yes No 90.2 77.4 96.8 69 68 67 52 Agitation -- -- -- --7 Yes Yes No No 91.2 76.5 96.9 -- -- -- -- 8.8 67 70 70 708 Yes Yes No Slight 91.9 78.2 95.2 84 85 87 74 -- -- -- --9 Yes Yes No No 88.2 75.2 98.4 -- -- -- -- 10.4 85 87 82 76__________________________________________________________________________

Claims

1. A method of treating turf or soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation, which comprises applying directly to the turf or soil an aqueous solution of a composition consisting essentially of

a) from 1 to 99% by weight of an organosilicone compound of the general formula

Md.sub.y Dx'M'

where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO and M' is Si (CH.sub.3).sub.3

D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO and D' is (CH.sub.3)(R)SiO

where R=(CH.sub.2).sub.n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O)a(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R.sub.1,

R.sub.1 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkyl ester group wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms:

n is from 2 to 4;

a is from 3 to 25;

b is from 0 to 25;

wherein Y is from 0 to 5; and

X is from 1 to 5; and

b) from 99 to 1% by weight of at least one surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide compounds with the general formula

R.sub.3 --O--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O)c(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.d R.sub.3

where

c is 0 to 300;

d is 0 to 300, and

R.sub.3 is H, or an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

wherein the polyalkylene oxide has a molecular weight in the range of 300 to 1500; and

c) a second optional different surfactant.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the composition consists only of the components (a) and (b).

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second surfactant comprises a compound of the general formula

R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n R.sub.5

where n is from 1 to 50; R.sub.4 is an alkyl group or an aryl group optionally having an alkyl group substituent, the alkyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms;

R.sub.5 is selected from H and alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein in the second surfactant n is from 4 to 20.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the second surfactant is an alkylaryl ethoxylate.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the second surfactant is nonyl phenol ethoxylate of structure ##STR4##

7. A method according to claim 3 wherein the second surfactant is octylphenolethoxylate of structure ##STR5##

8. A method according to claim 3, wherein the second surfactant comprises a compound of the general formula

R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n H,

where n is from 1 to 50 and R.sub.4 is an alkyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the organosilicone is of the following structure ##STR6##

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polyalkylene oxide has a molecular weight of from 300 to 3000.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein in the polyalkylene oxide, c is from 4 to 15, and d is from 2 to 10.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polyalkylene oxide is polypropylene glycol polymer.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein in the organosilicone, n is 3, a is from 3 to 15 and b is from 0 to 15.

14. A method of treating turf or soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation, which comprises applying directly to the turf or soil a composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of:

a) from 1 to 99% by weight of an organosilicone compound of the general formula

MDyDx'M'

where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO and M' is Si (CH.sub.3).sub.3

D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO and D' is (CH.sub.3)(R)SiO

where R=(CH.sub.2).sub.n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O)a(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R.sub.1,

R.sub.1 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkyl ester group wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms:

n is from 2 to 4;

a is from 3 to 25;

b is from 0 to 25;

wherein Y is from 0 to 5; and

X is from 1 to 5; and

b) from 99 to 1% by weight of at second surfactant of the formula

R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n R.sub.5

where n is 1 to 50;

R.sub.4 is an alkyl group or an aryl group optionally having an alkyl substituent with up to 20 carbon atoms;

R.sub.5 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

15. A method of treating turf or soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation, which comprises applying directly to the turf or soil a composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of:

a) from 1 to 99% by weight of an organosilicone compound of the general formula

MDyDx'M'

where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO and M' is Si (CH.sub.3).sub.3

D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO and D' is (CH.sub.2)(R)SiO

where R=(CH.sub.2).sub.n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O)a(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R.sub.1,

R.sub.1 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkyl ester group wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms:

n is from 2 to 4;

a is from 3 to 25;

b is from 0 to 25;

wherein Y is from 0 to 5; and

X is from 1 to 5; and

b) a second surfactant of the formula

R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n R.sub.5

where n is 1 to 50;

R.sub.4 is an alkyl group or an aryl group optionally having an alkyl substituent with up to 20 carbon atoms;

R.sub.5 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

c) a polyalkylene oxide compound of general formula

R.sub.3 --O--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O)c(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.d R.sub.3

where c is 0 to 300; d is 0 to 300, R.sub.3 is selected from H and alkyl groups with 1 to carbon atoms; the polyalkylene oxide having a molecular weight of 300 to wherein the total amount by weight of (b) and (c) is from 99% to 1%.

16. A composition for treating turf or soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation, which composition consists essentially of an aqueous solution of:

a) from 1 to 99% by weight of an organosilicone compound of the general formula

MDyDx'M'

where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO and M' is Si (CH.sub.3).sub.3

D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO and D' is (CH.sub.3)(R)SiO

where

R=(CH.sub.2).sub.n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O)a(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R.sub.1,

R.sub.1 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkyl ester group

wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms:

n is from 2 to 4;

a is from 3 to 25;

b is from 0 to 25;

wherein Y is from 0 to 5; and

X is from 1 to 5; and

b) from 99 to 1% by weight of at second surfactant of the formula

R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n R.sub.5

where n is 1 to 50;

R.sub.4 is an alkyl group or an aryl group optionally having an alkyl substituent with up to 20 carbon atoms;

R.sub.5 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

17. A composition for treating turf or soil to alleviate drought stress and soil capping and to improve soil water conservation, which composition consists essentially of an aqueous solution of:

a) from 1 to 99% by weight of an organosilicone compound of the general formula

MDyDx'M'

where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO and M' is Si (CH.sub.3).sub.3

D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO and D' is (CH.sub.3)(R)SiO

where R=(CH.sub.2).sub.n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O)a(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R.sub.1,

R.sub.1 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkyl ester group

wherein the alkyl group of the ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms:

n is from 2 to 4;

a is from 3 to 25;

b is from 0 to 25;

wherein Y is from 0 to 5; and

X is from 1 to 5; and

b) a second surfactant of the formula

R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n R.sub.5

where n is 1 to 50;

R.sub.4 is an alkyl group or an aryl group optionally having an alkyl substituent with up to 20 carbon atoms;

R.sub.5 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

c) a polyalkylene oxide compound of general formula

R.sub.3 --O--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O)c(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O.sub.d R.sub.3

where c is 0 to 300; d is 0 to 300, R.sub.3 is selected from H and alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; the polyalkylene oxide having a molecular weight of 300 to 15000; wherein the total amount by weight of (b) and (c) is from 99% to 1%.