Efficient reforestation with RETENTIS® – Insights from the Rottalschau

Climate change–related dry periods, depleted sites, and the need to rebuild forests quickly and resiliently are shaping the forestry sector. Agrobiogel GmbH addresses these challenges with RETENTIS®, a 100% biological, lignin-based soil improver that stores water in the root zone and releases it over time. This reliably protects seedlings from drought stress and supports establishment during the first, critical years.

Presence at the Rottalschau

At the Rottalschau in Karpfham, we presented RETENTIS® at the booth of our partner Gadermair. The focus was on technical discussions with representatives from forestry enterprises, forest authorities, and nurseries. Practical applications in planting, integration into existing forestry procedures, and options for reducing maintenance effort and losses during dry periods were discussed.

Benefits of RETENTIS® for forestry practice

Improved establishment rates
RETENTIS® absorbs rain and irrigation water and supplies it to the plant over an extended period. This lowers drought stress, enabling young plants to establish stably despite weather fluctuations. The active duration is three to five years, and the water storage capacity is up to about 10 g of water per gram of granulate.

Reduced irrigation intervals
Thanks to the increased water-holding capacity, irrigation measures can be significantly reduced—in the field we communicated savings potential of up to 40%, which lowers the workload especially in the first years after planting.

Increased nutrient efficiency
RETENTIS® can be mixed into the soil together with fertilizer. It binds nutrients and releases them gradually to the roots—reducing leaching losses and improving availability over weeks.

Soil improvement
The granulate promotes more uniform soil moisture, supports humus formation, and improves soil structure in the long term; risks associated with waterlogging are minimized at the same time. The product’s pH is neutral and does not affect soil pH.

Sustainability
Manufactured in Austria, RETENTIS® consists of lignin, a renewable wood component from the pulp industry. It contains no synthetic polymers, leaves no microplastic residues, and is listed for organic farming—a significant contribution to the circular economy.

Application in reforestation and nurseries

For reforestation, we recommend 50–100 g of RETENTIS® per seedling, depending on plant size and soil type. The granulate is mixed with excavated soil or substrate and incorporated 10–30 cm deep into the root zone. In nurseries, guideline values are 10–20 g per liter of substrate; it can also be prepared as a root protection gel.
In practice, this means direct addition into planting holes when using hollow spade, auger, or mattock methods, as well as mixing into container and propagation media to ensure consistent water and nutrient availability.

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Conclusion and outlook

The Rottalschau confirmed the strong interest from forestry practitioners in solutions that reduce losses and make care processes more efficient. RETENTIS® by Agrobiogel GmbH convinced with its biological origin, proven water and nutrient storage effects, and simple integration into established planting procedures. We would like to thank our partner Gadermair for the opportunity to present RETENTIS® in this important sector and look forward to deepening the new contacts made.

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Would you like to learn how RETENTIS® can be used specifically in your forestry project? Our experts will advise you individually and without obligation.

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