STOCKOSORB® FAQ

One kilogram of STOCKOSORB^® is able to absorb up to 250 liter of demineralised water. Salts and ions in soil or irrigation water decrease the uptake of liquids under use conditions. All hydrogels are sensitive to salt solutions.
In the soil salts and multi-valent cations like magnesium and calcium are absorbed by the hydrogels. Since the cations act as additional crosslinking agents the polymer network becomes narrow. This results in a reduced absorption capacity.
STOCKOSORB^® hydrogels archieve their maximum swelling capacity even against the natural pressure of soils, substrates and compost.

STOCKOSORB^® stores water and with it dissolved plant nutrients against gravity. Water which normally drains away is now easily available for plants. Thus, the soil moisture content is increased.
By applying 3 g STOCKOSORB^® per liter of soil the amount of plant available water is increased by 30-50%. Thus, the time period until plants reach the permanent wilting point is prolonged under normal growing conditions. Through the addition of STOCKOSORB^® the properties of a sandy soil, as regards water retention capacity and water availability, have changed to such an extent that they are now similar to those of a silt loamy soil.

Applied at the recommended dosage rates and homogenously mixed with the soil STOCKOSORB^® does not lead to over watering. Due to the swelling and shrinkling of the hydrogel stable soil aggregates are formed. This loose soil structure remains lasting. Water permeability and soil aeration is granted.
Over watering is caused by standing water in the root zone. Standing water is the result of lack of drainage and soil compaction.
STOCKOSORB^® increases the pore space volume. Thus, reducing soil compaction. When STOCKOSORB^® has reached its maximum absorbing capacity, no more water is retained beyond this quantity and the exess flows off. The remaining air stored in the soil ensures a very good aeration and oxygen supply to the topsoil.

Due to the swelling of the hydrogel during water uptake the soil volume changes, resulting in reduced soil compaction and increased soil pore volume. Thus, by loosening the soil roots grow best and most thickly.br> In a sandy soil treated with STOCKOSORB^® compaction is reduced by 23% compared to a untreated soil. The soil pore volume is increased by 41% applying 3 g STOCKOSORB^® per liter of soil. At the same time water infiltration is greatly improved. If rainwater infiltrates the soil quickly, less water runs off. With a lower volume of running water, less soil can be transported. The erosion of soil material is reduced by 50%. To reduce erosion means to keep the fertile topsoil.

STOCKOSORB^® retains the ability of repeated water absorption and release over a period of several years which makes them very cost effective for long term maintenance situations.
As a water management tool STOCKOSORB^® is therefore particularly suitable for plantations of trees and shrubs, for orchards, as well as for perennial crops (alfalfa, sugar cane).

The use of STOCKOSORB^® in landscaping, forestry and agriculture is environmentally safe.
In-depth ecotoxicological testing was performed in laboratories certified according to the rules of “Good Laboratory Practice GLP”. No evidence for adverse effects of STOCKOSORB^® to animals, plants, soil or ground water was obtained.
STOCKOSORB^® is approved as “inert ingredient” by the US Environmental Protection Agency EPA under 40 CFR section 180.1001(c).

STOCKOSORB^® is potentially biodegradable.
STOCKOSORB^® adapts itself to natural degradation mechanisms: Due to physical, mechanical and biological activities the polymer gets liguefy. Higher molecular soluble polymer parts are attached to soil components. Thus in the course of time, STOCKOSORB^® forms part of the humus fraction of the soil, without having any negative or toxic effects on the soil and microorganisms. The low molecular soluble polymer parts are mineralized. Together with naturally occurring humic substances STOCKOSORB^® enlarges the organic soil matter fraction. Degradation products are not toxic