Product Properties
The new Terra Preta is a eutrophic humus substratum, in which all nutrients are firmly bound and, therefore, are not washed out. By biochemical mechanisms nutrients are provided tailored to the needs of the plants, so that the plants always have optimal supply. This is achieved by means of excellent physiochemical properties, on the one hand, as well as via exceedingly well-balanced populations of microorganisms and soil fungi on the other, which complement one another in their effect.
Also, the humus substrate as soil additive has excellent soil-forming properties like, for instance, the effective and active build-up of permanent humus. If soil, for example, that is used for horticultural or agricultural purposes, is treated with the new Terra Preta, the positive properties can be transferred to the treated soil. Treated this way, the soils maintain their efficacy like, for instance, the ability to keep nutrients and the cultivation of humus, for many years.
Further positive effects of the new Terra Preta culture media and soil additives are a high water storage capacity and good aeration, properties which decisively codetermine the quality and productivity of culture media and soils.
The new Terra Preta culture media and soil additives can be employed in professional industrial application as well as in hobby gardening.
Customer value
- improved vegetation and decrease of the failure quota at new-planting
- reduction in water consumption
- less amount of work for irrigation
- decrease of fertilization efforts by approx. 80 %
- long expected useful life due to minor erosion of nutrients
- easy to apply – insertion into already existing cultures is also possible
Average product data
The Institute for Environmental Science in Landau compared the new Terra Preta with conventional plant humus and substrates and confirmed the excellent product properties.
properties | data | unit |
physical | ||
structure | medial >10 | mm |
humidity ratio | 35 | % |
density | 650 | g/L |
chemical | ||
ph-value (CaCl2) | 6,5 – 7 | |
salinity (KCl) | < 3 | g/L |
total nutrients | ||
nitrogen total (N) | 300 – 500 | mg/L |
phosphate total (P205) | 500 – 1000 | mg/L |
potassium total (K2O) | 1700 – 2300 | mg/L |
magnesium total (MgO) | 250 – 300 | mg/L |
chloride (Cl) | < 200 | mg/L |
biological | ||
plant compatibility | after sprout plant test, free from plant harming substances | |
weed growth | max. one germinating seed or sprouting part of plant per L substrate | |
nitric balance | steady |
Properties of the new Terra Preta in comparison with common substrates and soil additives
culture media | MHS* | soil additives | ||||||
properties | wood fibre products | turf | substrate humus | bark mulch | humus substrate | Fulmin soil activator | powdered limestone | smectite |
structure | ||||||||
total volume | ++ | ++ | 0 | 0 | ++ | |||
air spaces volume | ++ | ++ | 0 | 0 | ++ | ++ | ||
re-humidifying ability | 0 | - | + | + | + | |||
water capacity | + | ++ | 0 | 0 | ++ | + | ++ | |
structure stability | - | + | 0 | 0 | ++ | + | ++ | |
nutrients | ||||||||
nutritional value | - - | - - | ++ | + | ++ | - | - | |
ability to connect nutrients | - - | + | ++ | + | ++ | + | 0 | ++ |
pH-value | moderately-slightly acidic, with additive: alkaline | extremely- acidic | neutral- alkaline acidic | moderately- slightly acidic to highly alkaline | moderately-slightly acidic, with additive: alkaline | |||
buffer ability | - - | - | ++ | + | ++ | + | + | + |
* Morbacher Humus Substrat (working title)
Application spectrum
- hobby and professional gardening
- gardening and landscaping
- roof greening
- agriculture (soil improvement, water storage and fertiliser)
- cultivation of arid and humid areas; soil improvement, water and climate protection
- prevention of re-desertification
- decontamination of downgrade soil