Peat (sphagnum) is one of the widely used growing media in green house production as it has desirable water retention, aeration, and nutrient properties. However, the extraction of peat moss affects the important peat land ecosystem and releases greenhouse gas emissions. This project aims to develop sustainable alternatives to peat, especially with locally available resources, as other alternatives such as coco coir is imported with a huge water and climate footprint. Wood fiber can be a potential growing medium to replace peat, which is abundantly available in the EU. However, using wood fiber alone can lead to reduced plant growth due to its nitrogen immobilization characteristics.
The project will involve creating and testing different blends of wood fiber combined with other potential resources such as different types of compost and biofiber; and assess their suitability as a peat substitute. Analysis might include physical (moisture retention, porosity), chemical (pH, nutrient content), and biological (microbial activity) properties of the blends. Growth trials with horticultural plants can be used to validate these blends, ensuring optimal plant growth and yield. Your interests will help shaping the experimental plan. By identifying the most effective wood fiber blends, this study seeks to promote sustainable horticulture, reduce reliance on peat, and provide an innovative solution that aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss.
The project is aligned to UN's SGD:
