Which is better: agrowool or agrotan? Differences and use of both materials

The most important information in a nutshell:

• Agrowłóknina is a lightweight, non-woven material designed primarily for plant protection.
• Agrotkanina has a more compact structure and is mainly used for bedding.
• Agrowłóknina is effective in protecting against frost, cold, wind and excessive sunlight.
• Agrotkanina limits the access of light to the soil and the development of weeds.
• Both materials should not be considered completely interchangeable.
• The choice should take into account the intended use, weight, dimensions, method of installation, and expected lifespan.
• WIMAR offers both agrotanines and agrowool fibers with different parameters.

Agrowool and agrotan are part of the agrotexiles group, but they are not materials with identical construction or intended use. Although both products can be used in horticultural cultivation, their properties result from different methods of manufacture, grammage and application. The choice of the appropriate material should primarily depend on the desired effect – plant protection or, above all, the permanent covering of the soil and the reduction of erosion. 

In practice, the question of what the difference between agro-fiber and agro-woven fabric is most often raised when planning discounts, planting shrubs, cultivating nurseries, and protecting plants from adverse conditions. The materials may look similar, but their functional parameters are different.

How is agro-fiber different from agrotan?

The fundamental difference between agrotan and agrowool is due to the material’s construction. Agrowool is made from polypropylene fibers that form a lightweight, nonwoven structure. The material is characterized by low weight and air and water permeability. Depending on the type, it can be used as a protective cover for plants against cold, frost, excessive sunlight, or certain pests. Agrotan, on the other hand, is made from fibers that are properly arranged and joined together to form a denser structure. This makes it a material primarily intended for long-term mulching. Its purpose is to limit the access of light to the soil surface, thereby reducing conditions conducive to the growth of weeds.

Agrowłóknina and agrotkanina – comparison

Feature	Agrowłóknina	Agrotkanina
Design	Nonwoven fiber structure	Compact woven structure
Main application	Plant protection and crop protection	Covering and limiting weeds
Mass	Usually lower	Usually higher
Permeability	Air and water can pass through the material	It lets water through, limiting the access of light to the substrate
Mechanical resistance	Smaller than in the case of agrotaniny	Higher
Seasonal use	Often short-term or seasonal	Long-term purpose
Protection against weeds	Dependent on the type of material	One of the basic applications

However, this does not mean that one material is universally better than the other. These are solutions designed for different tasks.

Agrotkanina and agrowłóknina – when to choose a specific material?

If the main goal is to protect plants from low temperatures, frost, wind or intense sunlight, a suitable solution will be a protective agrofibre. Its low weight allows it to be applied directly on plants or on prepared structures. The material forms a protective layer, but should not restrict the plants’ access to air and water. Agrofibre, on the other hand, is suitable where mulching of the soil is a priority. It is used, for example, around shrubs, trees, ornamental plants or in crops where it is important to limit the growth of weeds. The material is laid on a prepared substrate and then fastened. Appropriate holes are made at planting sites.

Which is better: agrowool or agrotan?

There is no one answer to the question of which is better: agrowool or agrotan: both materials serve different functions, so the decision should be based on the specific application.

Agrowłóknina will be a better choice when:

• plant protection is needed from frost and cold,
• the material is intended to protect the crop from adverse weather conditions,
• the small mass of material is important,
• seasonal covering of plants is necessary,
• The material is intended to be used as a cover for the overhead parts.

Agrotkanina will be more appropriate when:

• the main problem are the weeds,
• the material is intended to serve as a mulch,
• multi-season use is planned,
• greater mechanical resistance is needed,
• The material is to be applied to the surface of the soil around the plants.

Therefore, the choice should not start with the question of which product is „better”, but with the function that the material is intended to fulfill.

Agrowool and agrotan – differences in practical application

In practice, both materials can be used in the same garden, but in different places. Agrowłóknina can be used to protect plants during a specific season, while agrotkanina can remain on the soil surface for a longer period. Proper preparation of the soil is also important. Before spreading the agrowłóknina, existing weeds, stones, and other elements that could damage the material must be removed. The surface should be leveled, and the material itself should be properly tightened and secured. Pins or anchors are used to secure the material. However, protective agrowłóknina should be laid in a way that provides plants with adequate space for growth. It should not be overstretched or pressed down on the above-ground parts. The method of installation depends on the type of crop, the surface, and the weather conditions.

How to choose agrotechnics for a particular crop?

The selection of material should begin with determining the type of crop and the problem that needs to be solved. In the case of young plants, vegetable crops, and species requiring protection from cold, the properties of the agrofibre are essential. However, if the material is to be used on a trellis, in a greenhouse, or around perennial plants, where it is important to limit the risk of damage by rodents, an agrofibre may be a better option. The product’s technical parameters are also important. The name of the material alone is not sufficient for a proper choice. It is necessary to consider, among other things, the weight per unit area, dimensions, intended use, method of attachment, and the anticipated period of use.

Agrowool fiber agrotan – can they be used interchangeably?

The terms agrowłóknina and agrotkanina are sometimes used interchangeably in colloquial language, but from a technical point of view they do not denote the same product. The difference in construction translates into the user properties, so replacing one material with another will not always be the right solution. Therefore, when choosing a material, one should primarily focus on its parameters and intended use, rather than solely on the similar appearance of both products.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)