Water-repellent soils present a major challenge for land rehabilitation and revegetation.
If water cannot properly infiltrate the soil, seeds struggle to germinate, plant roots cannot access moisture and landscapes become prone to erosion. A recent independent study by Landloch has confirmed that EnviroMatrix ECM hydromulch significantly improves soil wettability, ensuring water penetrates more effectively and supports sustainable plant growth.
Methodology – how the trial was conducted
To measure the impact of EnviroMatrix ECM hydromulch on soil wettability, an accredited third-party laboratory conducted a series of controlled tests. These trials assessed the ability of water to infiltrate treated and untreated soil, measuring:
- Water infiltration time – how long water takes to be absorbed into the soil
- Contact angle analysis – the angle at which a water droplet interacts with the soil surface—indicating its ability to penetrate
- Hydrophobicity reduction – the degree to which treatment reduces soil water repellency.
These tests provide a clear scientific measure of how effectively EnviroMatrix improves water infiltration and soil hydration.
Key findings on data-backed performance
- Significantly faster water absorption in EnviroMatrix ECM hydromulch-treated soil compared to untreated control samples
- Reduced water repellency, allowing moisture to reach plant roots more efficiently
- Lower contact angle, meaning water spreads and infiltrates rather than beading on the surface
- Enhanced soil hydration, leading to improved seed germination and plant establishment
These findings confirm that EnviroMatrix ECM hydromulch not only prevents surface runoff but also ensures moisture is distributed evenly through the soil profile, creating optimal conditions for plant growth.
Why this matters for revegetation
Water repellency is a major barrier to successful revegetation, particularly in degraded or sandy soils. If soil does not absorb water effectively, plants struggle to establish, leading to patchy and unsustainable growth. By improving wettability, EnviroMatrix ECM hydromulch allows water to be more readily available to seeds and young plants, boosting early-stage survival rates.
Better water infiltration also means:
- Less water wastage due to runoff
- More efficient use of rainfall and irrigation
- Reduced erosion risk from surface water movement
- Stronger plant establishment, leading to healthier landscapes
- Reduced evaporation enhancing deep root penetration.
- Increased below ground biomass reducing erosion.
With science-backed proof of its effectiveness, EnviroMatrix ECM hydromulch provides a practical and sustainable solution to overcoming soil water repellency, making revegetation efforts more successful and cost-effective.
These results confirm that EnviroMatrix ECM hydromulch improves soil moisture availability, creating a stable and favourable environment for seed germination and root development.
