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Scientific publications

02/02/2020 - 00:00

At TerraCottem, innovation is rooted in science. For more than three decades, our soil conditioning technology has been the subject of independent studies and peer-reviewed research.

These publications not only confirm the effectiveness of TerraCottem in improving plant growth, resilience, and water-use efficiency, but also demonstrate the practical value it delivers to professionals in landscaping, sports turf, horticulture and beyond.

• Oldřich Mauer, and Kateřina Houšková (2024). The use of TerraCottem in reforestation during periods of drought. International conference Lesné semenárstvo, škôlkarstvo a pestovanie lesa (Forest seed production, nursery and silviculture), Liptovský Ján in Slovakia. p37-39.
• de Melo Junior, Julio César Ferreira, Marcos Sales Rodrigues, Augusto Miguel Nascimento Lima, Eliezer Santurbano Gervasio, and Acacia Figueiredo Neto (2023). Water depletion on substrate and soil conditioner doses in the yellow passion fruit seedling formation. Scientia Piena 19, no. 12. p1-10.
• Snoeck, Didier, Nuria Roigé, Sandra Manso, Ignacio Segura, and Nele De Belie (2022). The effect of (and the potential of recycled) superabsorbent polymers on the water retention capability and bio-receptivity of cementitious materials. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 177. p1-11.
• Bandenay, Gladys L., Arianna Renau­ Prunonosa, Ignacio Moreil, and Marîa V. Esteller (2021). Effects of different amendments (organic matter and hydrogel) on the actual evapotranspiration and crop coefficient of turf grass under field conditions. Irrigation and Drainage 70, no. 2. p293-305.
• Farsarai, Sara, and Mohammad Moghaddam (2020). Influence of three types of superabsorbents on growth characteristic and elements uptake in basil under salinity stress. Hortic. Plants Nutr 3. p159-174.
• Farsarai, Sara, Mohammad Moghaddam, and Abdollah Ghasemi Pirbalouti (2020). Changes in growth and essential oil composition of sweet basil in response of salinity stress and superabsorbents application. Scientia Horticulturae 271. p1-8.
• Ramezani, Amin, Hossein Aroiee, Majid Azizi, and Ahmad Ahmadian (2020). Assessing the effects of irrigation management on economic yield and production of active ingredients of saffron medicinal plant (Crocus sativus L ) by application of organic fertilizer and nanocomposite superabsorbent polymers. Saffron Agronomy & Technology, Vol. 8, no. 1. p3-18.
• Chiorescu, Esmeralda (2019). Research on the influence of hydrogels Stockosorb and TerraCottem on the development of some agricultural plants species. Lucrări Ştiinţifice – vol. 62(1), seria Agronomie p29-32.
• Del Campo, MA Martin, M. V. Esteller, Ignacio Moreil, J. L. Exp6sito, G. L. Bandenay, and C. Diaz-Delgado (2019). A lysimeter study under field conditions of nitrogen and phosphorus leaching in a turf grass crop amended with peat and hydrogel. Science of the total environment 648. p530-541.
• Jaime Coello et al. (2018). Combining innovative mulches and soil conditioners in mountain afforestation with ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in the Pyrenees (NE Spain). Forest Systems, Volume 27, Issue 3. p1-13.
• J. Coello et al. (2018). Innovative soil conditioners and mulches for forest restoration in semiarid conditions in northeast Spain. Ecological Engineering, 118. p52-65.
• Chiorescu et al. (2017). Research on the influence of hydrogels Zeba SP and TerraCottem on the development of some aromatic plant species. Research Journal of Agricultural Science, 49(4). p385-391.
• Coello Jaime, Piqué Miriam, Ravira Pere, Fuentes Carla, Ottevaere Davy, Mussche Stef, and Ruys Luc (2016). Soil conditioners and groundcovers for sustainable and costefficient tree planting in Europe and the Mediterranean: Technical guide Forest Sciences Centre of Catalonia. p1-60.
• Hueso-Gonzalez, Paloma, Juan Francisco Martinez-Murillo, and Jose Damian Ruiz­ Sinoga (2016). Effects of topsoil treatments on afforestation in a dry Mediterranean climate (southern Spain). Solid Earth 7, no. 5. p1479-1489.
• Santos, Mario Rui Proença, and Maria José Monteiro Silva (2016). Growth and development of Jatropha curcas seedlings using Terracotem soil conditioners under different irrigation levels. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 28, no. 5. p326-331.
• Nachtergaele Lennert (2016). Suitability of potential soil conditioners in the sports sector. Master thesis, Ghent University, Belgium. p.
• Keneshloo, H., and G. R. Damizadeh (2015). Efficiency of TerraCottem hydrophilic polymer in rainfed afforestations. Iranian Journal of Forest, Volume 7, Issue 3. p317-328.
• Beigi, S, M. Azizi, S H. Nemati, and V. Rowshan (2015). Effect of TerraCottem superabsorbent and Plantago ovata mucilage on some morphological, biological properties, water use efficiency and essential oil in Ocimum basilicum L. var. lranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research 31, no. 5. p763-775.
• Coello-Gomez, J., C. Fuentes-Boix, and Miriam Pique (2015). lnnovative soil conditioning and mulching techniques for forest restoration in Mediterranean conditions. Proceedings International Conference Reforestation Challenges, Belgrade, Serbia. p201-210.
• Hueso-Gonzalez, P., J. D. Ruiz-Sinoga, J. F. Martinez-Murillo, and H. Lavee (2015). Overland flow generation mechanisms affected by topsoil treatment: Application to soil conservation. Geomorphology 228. p796-804.
• S. Beigi, M. Azizi, S.H. Nemati, V. Rowshan (2015). Effect of TerraCottem superabsorbent and Plantago ovata mucilage on some morphological, biological properties, water use efficiency and essential oil in Ocimum basilicum L. var. "Keshkeny levelu". Effect of terracottem supeIranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Volume 31, Issue 5. p763-775.
• Grose, Peter J. (2014). Structure, function and cost­ effective revegetation for soil stabilisation in a Mediterranean ecosystem. PhD diss., University of Western Australia. p1-148.
• Sahebkashaf, Raheleh, Hasan Ahmadi, Mohamad Jafary, and Seyed Ali Peighambari (2014). Controlling flood and runoff on steep slopes using crescent catchment systems: a case study on Alborz Southern Hillside, Darabad Region, Iran. Advances in Environmental Biology. p278-284.
• A. Jezdinský, V. Řezníček (2011). The effect of some cultivation conditions on properties of leaves of the container-produced species Alnus Glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Volume LIX 11, no. 3. p81-90.
• E. Beel and D. Ottevaere (2010). Reforestation and Conserving Biodiversity Using TerraCottem universal Land Degradation Processes and Assessment: Wind Erosion, Interrill Erosion, Gully Erosion, Land Cover Features. p139-144.
• Torres, Duilio, Dangela Rivero, Nectali Rodriguez, Héctor Yendis, Deyanira Lobo, Donald Gabriels, and Frank Zamora (2008). Effect of synthetyc conditioner (TerraCottem) and an organic conditioner (bocaschi) on the water use efficiency in a green pepper crop. Agronomia Tropical 58, no. 3. p277-287.
• Jezdinsky, Ales, and Vojtech Reznicek (2008). The effect of some cultivation conditions on properties of leaves of the container-produced species Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis 59, No.3. p81-90.
• Kumaran, S. S. (2008). Effect of hydrophylic polymers on emergence and growth of tomato cv. Co. 3. Scientific Transactions in Enviornment and Technovation. p28-30.
• Sloup, Jakub, and Petr Salas (2008). Effect of soil conditioners on the quality of nursery production. I International Symposium on Woody Ornamentals of the Temperate Zone 885. p355-360.
• Baron Cortés, Andrés, et al. (2007). Evaluating hydrogels for agriforestry applications. lngenierîa e lnvestigación 27, 3. p35-44.
• Bořivoj Šarapatka, Libor Rak, Ivana Bubeníková (2007). Effects of hydroabsorbent used on extremely sandy soils on soil biological and biochemical characteristics. Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Palacký University. p1-6.
• Bulíř, P. (2006). Growth of Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) treated with soil conditioners on Loket spoil bank. Journal of Forest Science 52, no. 12. p556-564.
• Lobo, Deyanira, Duilio Torres, Donald Gabriels, Nectali Rodriguez, and Dangela Rivero (2006). Effect of organic waste compost and a water absorbent polymeric soil conditioner (hydrogel) on the water use efficiency in a Capsicum annum (green pepper) cultivation. Proceedings of International Symposium Agro Environ. p453-459.
• Reis, Mario, and Luisa Coelho (2006). Compost mixes as substrates for seedling production. Advances in Soil and Soilless Cultivation 747. p283-292.
• Salar, Nejat Ali, Mahdi Farah Pour, Farzaneh Bahadori, and Mohammad Amir Jan (2006). Effect of Water absorbent on Watering intervals. Reseach Institute of Forest and Rangeland, Iran. p1-47.
• Sarapatka, Borivoj, Libor Rak, and lvana Bubenikova (2006). The effect of hydroabsorbent on selected selected soil biological and biochemical characteristics and its possible use in revitalization. Ekologia(Bratislava)/Ecology(Bratislava) 25, no. 4. p422-429.
• Sloup, Jakub, and Petr Salas (2006). Affecting the quality of nursery produce by soil conditioners. Mendia University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno: Brno, Czechia. p386- 395.
• Van Cottem, W, and Douglas Pattie (2006). Integrated Soil Conditioning. FA Agriculture Conference. Kunming, China, vol. 27. p1-6.
• Bulíř, P. (2005). Impact of soil conditioners on the growth of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) on dumps. Journal of Forest Science 51, no. 9. p392-402.
• Vidyasagar, Dharmapuri (2005). Global notes: diapers and the deserts. What is the connection? Journal of perinatology 25, no. 12. p747-748.
• Van Cotthem, Willem (2005). Rooftop gardening a big step to the future. First International Summit for Aforestation Roof Gardens in China. p1-12.
• Salas, Petr (2004). Use of waste material in cultivation substrates. Acta Universitatis Agriculture et Silviculture Mendelianae Brunensis 52, no. 2. p43-52.
• Rubens A. de Oliveira, Lucimar S. Rezende, Mauro A. Martinez and Glauco V. Miranda (2004). Influência de um polímero hidroabsorvente sobre a retenção de água no solo” (Effect of a hydrogel polymer on the soil water retention). Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 8(1). p160–163.
• Mridha, M.A.U.; Alreja, V.; Dhar, P.P.; Sengupta, J.; Bhuiyan, M.K. (2004). Influence of TerraCottem Soil Conditioner on Growth and Drought Resistance of a Medicinal Plant (Aegle marmelos). Second Global Summit on Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (GOSMAP-2), New Delhi, India. p.
• F. Dewever and D. Ottevaere (2003). TerraCottem in growing media. Proceedings of the International Peat Symposium, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p39-47.
• Salas, Petr (2002). New technologies and improvement of nursery stock quality. Horticultural Science 29. no. 4. p153-160.
• Puhlova, 1., and L. Smelkova (1998). The effects of the hydroabsorbent TerraCottem on the growth of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings. Lesnictvi-UZPI (Czech Republic) 44, no. 1. p10-15.
• Labeke, MC van, and L. Degeyter (1997). Substrate additive for the culture of ornamental shrubs and conifers in containers. Application possibilities of TerraCottem. Verbondsnieuws 41(7). p39-41
• Ratananukul, Sanan and Duangpatra Piya (1995). Effects of TerraCottem and high water-absorbing polymer on growth and drought endurance of tree seedlings. Thai Agricultural Research Journal, Vol. 13, no. 3. p175-185.
• Danneels, P., and Willem Van Cotthem (1994). The effect of a soil conditioning mixture on plant growth: Some experiments in pots. Belgian journal of botany. p17-25.
• P. Danneels, T. Beeckman and W. Van Cotthem (1993). Effects Of Polyacrylamide And A Fertiliser On Germination And Seedling Growth Of Ammophilla Arenaria (L) Link I. At 5% Soil Moisture Content. Biol. Jb. Dodonaea, 61. p84-98.
• Danneels, P., Tom Beeckman, K. Callens, and W. van Cotthem (1992). TerraCottem for vegetable cultivation: a pot experiment. Biologisch Jaarboek-Dodonaea (Belgium), 60. p.
• Van Cotthem, Willem, C. Beef, P. Danneels, J. De Keyzer, and Q. Vyvey (1991). Restoring the natural vegetation on strong eroded volcanic soils of Cape Verde (West-Africa). Soil technology 4, no. 2. p183-189.

The studies highlight the strong scientific foundation behind TerraCottem and the measurable benefits it brings in real-world applications across different climates and soils.

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