• water conservation
• agrochemical reduction
• nutrient retention and reduced leaching
• soil conservation
• substitution of GM technology

Water conservation

Terraseed Classic and Terraseed Excel both reduce the amount of irrigation required to establish the crop and retain moisture in the rooting zone below the seedmat. This greatly conserves the moisture that is available to the crop.

Agrochemical reduction

Terraseed allows a wide range of intensive horticultural crops to be grown organically or with far fewer agrochemicals for conventional production.

* weeds are controlled eliminating the need for herbicides and soil sterilants
* soil-borne diseases are suppressed reducing the need for fungicides
* air-borne pest infestation is reduced by the colour of the seedmat (Pollen beetle and aphids) ; egg laying is suppressed by the presence of the membrane around the stem base thereby reducing pesticide need

Nutrient retention and reduced leaching

Reduced irrigation demand and moisture retention reduce leaching of nutrients from the rooting zone into ground water thereby reducing the amount of fertilizer required and contamination of water courses.

Soil conservation

By eliminating the need for chemical soil sterilisation, Terraseed helps maintain soil stability. This greatly reduces the amount of soil loss from intensive horticultural holdings suffering from heavy rainfall or excessive irrigation.

GM technology

Terraseed gets the most out of crops and, in some instances, substitutes for improvements that can be achieved through genetic modification (GM). For instance, if herbicides are not needed then there is no gain in using glyphosate resistance varieties. If Terraseed suppresses Bremia then is it necessary to use mildew resistant varieties? A lot of detailed scientific work is required to prove many of these interactions and this will form the focus of the Company's R&D programme.