Renewable alternatives for peat in horticultural substrates
Peat moss "Sphagnum palustre" and a sundew plant
(c) Raphael Müller
Renewable alternatives for peat in horticultural substrates
The investigation of renewable alternatives for peat used for the production of horticultural substrates is a key for a climate- and environmentally gardening. A promising alternative for peat is peat moss (Sphagnum). Rewettet peatlands can be used for the production and of growing peat moss biomass while the peat layers below remain wet and are protected against desiccation. This kind of wet agriculture is called "paludiculture".
The aim of the project "Sphagnum moss in paludiculture" is to investigate the suitibility of harvested and processed peat moss for the use as a substitute material in gardening substrates. It focuses on the physical (waterholding capacity, wettability ...) and chemical characteristisc of processed peat moss.
Our results should also help Bellaflora for the production of peat free gardening substrates.
More:
Poster
IG Moorschutz