Hydroseeding

One of the most revolutionary and modern techniques that exists in the field of agriculture is the hydroseeding. It is a type of herbaceous sowing technique that has certain advantages over traditional methods of manual or tractor application. Thanks to this type of technique, the conditions can be facilitated so that the crops can develop well.

In this article we are going to tell you all the characteristics, advantages and uses of hydroseeding.

Key features

It is a type of herbaceous sowing technique that has some advantages over manual or tractor applications. We are talking about the application of a liquid system that is mechanically driven and projected by a hose. In hydroseeding, a hose is used in which band the microclimate conditions so that the seed has the ideal germination and growth conditions assured.

The main characteristic of hydroseeding is the homogeneous and rapid distribution of the seeds throughout the entire territory. In this way, crop locations can be established in a much more efficient way to optimize the correct use of the land. This is how producers also benefit, since to take advantage of the territory much more, it is possible to increase production per unit of area.

Hydroseeding can be applied to different areas, both areas with slopes or those with difficult access, and it can be applied remotely. This is another advantage of the application of the tractor or by hand. When we are placing the seeds using a tractor we must take into account the terrain. There are areas of cultivated fields that They are not suitable for the tractor to pass through. The same happens if we are distributing the seeds by hand. You have to move through areas that are more difficult to walk. However, with the hydroseeding method it can be done remotely since a hose is used.

Not only is the way of sowing easier, but impacts to the ground due to the passing of the tractor or continuous footfalls are reduced.

How hydroseeding works

The seeds that are sown with this technique are a combination of different herbaceous species that have different characteristics and are adapted to the area of ​​application. If the conditions are the most favorable, a greening is guaranteed the first week. The greening is nothing more than the growth of herbaceous plants that helps prevent soil erosion. If the planted plants take a good hold, the soil will present a good stabilization over time.

The mixture of seeds used is an essential aspect to be able to make combinations with non-aggressive species. These species are called starter combinations. It means that they are combinations of non-aggressive species that have a rapid growth that end up disappearing. You can also make combinations with legumes that serve mainly to help fix nitrogen and native or broad-spectrum grasses. Whenever feasible, the seeds of the species to be used for hydroseeding should be determined by a botanist and specifically for performance. That is, all these seeds must be suitable for the land where they are going to be grown so that the results are optimal.

All the elements it uses hydroseeding are totally natural and absolutely biodegradable. With this we achieve that the action of the sowing of the seeds with this method can never behave as a negative environmental impact. We know that the use of a tractor can not only degrade the soil where it is operating, but also emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide through combustion.

The application of the seeds by hydroseeding is carried out with a stirring motor that creates a homogeneous mixture and another motor that creates a projection.

Hydroseeding technique assessment

We are going to see the main areas where hydroseeding can be used to obtain better results. These areas are the following:

• Reforestation or afforestation projects. Places that are degraded and do not have a vegetative cover can be reformed more easily if hydroseeding is used.
• Restoration of slopes, extractive, riverbanks, among others. There are also parts of slopes and river banks that are degraded by human action. There were some storms. Hydroseeding helps to repopulate these areas and the vegetation cover serves as a grip to prevent soil erosion.
• Landscape improvement projects. The improvement of the landscape can be given thanks to the increase of the vegetal cover.
• Planning of planning in urban and peri-urban environments. The urban environment also needs vegetation in parks and gardens, in addition to the city itself.
• Prevention of mild erosive processes and complementary to other erosion control measures. As we have mentioned before, the vegetation and growth cover of the trees helps reduce erosion.
• Immediate post-fire treatments for the growth of the vegetal cover whose main purpose is to protect the soil.

For more or less flat terrain and where it is not necessary to maintain a soil structure, agricultural sowing can also be an alternative to using hydroseeding. In those areas that are difficult to access or have a more delicate soil structure, hydroseeding becomes a good system. Areas can be planted and if access is available, it will not cause any additional environmental impact.

Advantages

The advantages of hydroseeding are summarized in the following points:

• The vegetation sets 20-25% faster than with any other type of mechanical alternative or traditional manual sowing.
• The seeds and compost are evenly distributed.
• The mulch ensures favorable conditions for rapid germination.
• Repopulation can be achieved at great heights on slopes that are difficult to reach.

As you can see, hydroseeding is a revolutionary technique for reforestation. I hope that with this information you can learn more about this technique and its characteristics.