Lite-Soil GmbH

The active subsurface irrigation

The active BLUELITE-NET system is a completely new and technically improved solution for water-saving underfloor irrigation for e.g. trees or sports fields.

It consists of 3 elements:

1 a drip irrigation TUBE

2 BLUELITE-COVER, a protective geotextile cover for the tube which distributes water into the

3 LITE-NET where it is distributed over a large area at root depth.

1 + 2 = BLUELITE-TUBE (BLUELITE-COVER + TUBE) 

The BLUELITE-COVER distributes the water linearly along the irrigation tube, while increasing the water / soil contact area by a factor of 1,000 and protects the tube openings against root ingrowth and blockage caused by soil fines.

The BLUELITE-COVER for the irrigation pipe therefore has several functions:

• protection of the openings of the irrigation pipe against ingrowth of plant roots
• water distribution in longitudinal direction of the irrigation pipe (important for soil mix)
• contact or water transfer to the distribution network
• a thousand fold increase in the contact area of water with the ground
• mechanical protection of the irrigation pipe
• if the irrigation pipe fails, it can be replaced in-situ with a new one

Subsurface irrigation eliminates evaporation, felting and surface waterlogging, reducing the cost of surface treatment. Irrigation is possible at any time and throughout, even if the lawn is being used or mowed. Because of the open and flexible shape of the net, there is no barrier at all; it can be laid at any depth, as plant roots can easily grow through or anchor themselves around the net, thus extracting 100% of the water stored in the net when needed. Even during the growth phase or in a plant mix, the plants are optimally supplied. Compared to spray irrigation, up to 70% water is saved.

If desired, the BLUELITE-COVER can also be delivered without an irrigation pipe and other pipes can be inserted yourself.

The subsurface BLUELITE-NET system is protected against vandalism and especially indicated for the irrigation of slopes exposed to the sun. It irrigates the slope efficiently and without evaporation. Due to its open net structure, the roots can fully develop without encountering any obstacle, preventing the creation of a sliding layer and even increasing the slope’s stability.

ADVANTAGES

• large area water distribution without evaporation
• easy installation at any floor depth
• cost-effective and durable
• rootable water storage
• water savings of up to 70
• protection of the irrigation pipe by fleece coating 

BLUELITE-NET finds a completely new application for city trees: Among the disadvantages of conventional underground irrigation pipes are bad and irregular water distribution with changing soil characteristics as well as the danger of possible obstructions and an irregular as well as uneven water supply. This is why most irrigation pipes are placed on surface. But there they often suffer damages, which again leads to water no being distributed regularly.

Hence THE solution with the BLUELITE-NET system: In existing trees, the BLUELITE-RING - a fleece-coated irrigation pipe - is led around the trunk in a ring shape at a depth of approx. 5-10 cm and connected with a branch line. For new tree plantings the BLUELITE-RING is placed on a LITE-NET vegetation net. In this way the water is effectively and evenly directed to the roots.

Further advantages: No clogging of the irrigation holes by roots or fine particles. The escaping water is capillary distributed in the fleece coat and irrigates the environment evenly over a very large contact area. Protection of the irrigation pipes against vandalism and UV influence. Personnel costs and water consumption are significantly reduced.

BLUELITE-AGRI

The versatile water distributor

Our cost-effective active underground irrigation BLUELITE-AGRI, a fleece-covered hose that can also be laid in the ground without a distribution network, has been specially designed for retrofitting in existing plantations and for larger green areas and fields. The easiest way to lay it is to use devices for slotted drainage.

BLUELITE-AGRI is a cost-effective combination of a drip irrigation hose with a protective, distributing and water-storing fleece coating and is installed underground at root depth in the soil.

BLUELITE-AGRI is intended for use in existing vineyards, vegetable and fruit plantations or fields. It can also be used on any lawn, trees, bushes or in larger plant troughs.

Information request: office@lite-soil.com

The water storage distribution net

LITE-NET is a highly water- and air-conducting LITE-NET for the ventilation and irrigation of plant roots over large areas. The fleece nets, which are simply covered with soil, can also be pulled up to the surface in places. There they absorb air and water and distribute it quickly and extensively underground at the root level. Roots can grow through the open net structure without any problems and the water storage net can be used efficiently at any level close to the roots.

For sports and playgrounds, long-term slope greening, flower beds, lawns & rolled turf, LITE-NET is usually laid at root depth (e.g. 8-15 cm). It stores and distributes water and reduces water consumption.

LITE-NET vegetation net - jump-start for your trees

The prefabricated growth net is wrapped around the root ball when planting new trees. It absorbs air and rainwater on the surface and distributes it directly to the roots. The LITE-NET vegetation net can be made of sustainable polypropylene or biodegradable materials such as wood fibre or PLA. LITE-NET is used as a cost-effective replacement for the pipe systems commonly used up to now. It cannot clog or kink and transports water over a large area, efficiently and evenly to exactly where it is needed.

A combination with watering edges or irrigation bags is also ideal. The LITE-NET vegetation net ensures that the water is quickly, efficiently and evenly transported directly to the tree roots without much evaporation.

In addition, the horizontal LITE-NET distribution net, which is placed directly under the root ball, is also recommended. It serves as an additional storage tank and directs air, water and tree roots across the width. This improves the stability of the tree and directs root growth into the depth.

ADVANTAGES

• large area distribution directly at the roots
• cost-effective
• casy and quick to lay yourself
• cannot buckle or clog
• root growth is directed into the depth

For slope greening, the LITE-NET is laid out on the surface. Here too, LITE-NET combines the best of both worlds: On the one hand, it enables optimum irrigation of the embankment, which massively promotes plant growth. On the other hand, they actively prevent erosion, as the roots can grow through the net and thus increase the slope statics. The extremely flexible net adapts perfectly to the soil and promotes plant growth.

LITE-NET is also ideal in combination with spray irrigation (including the addition of LITE-CUBES as storage mulch). The layout is very simple. On steeper slopes, LITE-NET can be fixed with standard ground hooks.

The optimal results have been scientifically confirmed: Together with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), test trials were carried out to confirm the advantages:

- LITE-NET stores 6 times more water than conventional coconut matting (after 24 hours)

- The greening effect of LITE-NET is 50% higher than that of conventional coir matting

Information request: office@lite-soil.com

biodegradable root protection for trees

Most damage to trees occurs on construction sites. Although tree protection is required by numerous laws and standards, roots are still often torn off and damaged by construction vehicles.

The consequential damage is enormous and can range from dying to falling trees.

Our LITE-ROOTPROTECT root bandage consists of a 10 cm wide roll of 100% biodegradable water storage fleece. It is simply wrapped around the exposed roots and moistened. The wider LITE-ROOTPROTECT M and L can be used optimally as a root curtain. It holds water much better than conventional building site fleeces or jute mats. In combination with our fleece-covered drip irrigation hose at the top edge, moisture retention can also take place automatically.

ADVANTAGES

Not only protects against sun and damage, but also keeps the roots permanently moist! LITE-ROOTPROTECT is 100% biodegradable and therefore does not have to be dismantled again.

Information request: office@lite-soil.com

Water storage close to the roots

The 7 cm long LITE-STRIPS make dense soil more permeable and serve mainly as water storage and substrate improvement. For this purpose, the thick fleece strips are mixed into the soil to root depth (depending on the application, between 2 and 10 % volume for planters or 0.5 - 1.0 l/m² for lawns). Up to 90 % of the fleece volume can be filled with water, thus helping plants to survive longer dry periods.

Depending on the variant – biodegradable or non-biodegradable – LITE-STRIPS can be used in a wide variety of applications, especially for plant troughs, rolled turf, green roofs, sports fields, lawns, raised planting beds and aerification.

LITE-CUBES are available in a special small cube shape for spray greening, green roofs, growing pots and aerification.

Optimum results, scientifically confirmed: Together with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), we have carried out several test trials which confirm the advantages: LITE-STRIPS mixed into the soil have a water storage capacity per kg that is 8 times higher than clay pellets (LECA).

In the case of green roofs, one important property of our products comes to the fore: the light weight of our products. As our geotextiles consist of 90 % open, interconnected air voids, our products can absorb about 8 times more water per kg than conventional products (e.g. LECA).

For lawns, sports fields and rolled turf, LITE-STRIPS are applied as a growth aid.

Simply mixed into the soil, LITE-STRIPS act as a water reservoir and to loosen the soil.

For plant troughs, flower troughs and raised planting beds, LITE-STRIPS are simply mixed into the soil at root depth.

For trees, approx. 10-20 l are mixed into the tree pit as a water reservoir.

For aerification, LITE-CUBES are swept into the aeration holes together with sand or LITE-STRIPS are inserted into slots. This new type of aerification offers long-term benefits

Information request: office@lite-soil.com

Filter mat against road salt

SALFIX-MAT is simply inserted into the tree disc – the water-permeable filter mat binds road salt for many years. This prevents tree damage and soil compaction.

Trees survive the winter sustainably and new plantings are avoided.

ADVANTAGES

+ Reduction of tree damage and soil compaction
+ Simple applications
+ Cost savings through avoidance of new plantings

Information request: office@lite-soil.com