Colonization and biodegradation of the cross-linked potassium polyacrylate component of water absorbing geocomposite by soil microorganisms

•The biodegradation of superabsorbent component of geocomposite in soil was tested.•The geocomposite contained potassium polyacrylate (tKPA) wrapped in polyester fabric.•Bacillus megaterium 37SBG biodegraded tKPA in the synthetic root exudate medium.•Phytopathogenic oomycetes of the genus Phytophthora colonized tKPA.•The mycelial growth of P. cactorum was inhibited by complex of acremonia 25SFG.