Over the years, peat has become known as an unsustainable product. Therefore, in many industries as well as in the horticulture industry, companies try to minimize their use of it and are eager to find alternatives or additions to peat as substrate. However, what is the environmental impact of new or existing other raw materials for growing media? Knowledge center for substrates, RHP, is working hard on making this impact more transparent as well as the production and the expected properties of these growing media products. From February till April, they will also organize webinars (free) about Acting with New Growing Media (NGM). The changes are discussed on the basis of 8 different aspects that characterize a substrate to a great extent .
Hein Boon.
Ibutang kini sa konteksto
In horticulture, peat works very well as a raw material for substrates. However, it has a certain impact on the environment – peat consists mainly of carbon and when it oxidizes, CO2 will be released in the air – and it therefore has become less socially acceptable. However, each raw material has an impact on the environment, for example, coir pith needs to come from far and wood fiber production requires quite some energy. Therefore, it is important to put it in context, explains Hein Boon of RHP. For this reason, growing media companies work together on a European level to create a so-called ‘SubstrateFootprint’. “Currently, in the HortiFootprint, the environmental footprint of flowers and vegetables is calculated by using the Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) methodology. With the SubstrateFootprint we want to calculate the impact of substrates in an unambiguous and transparent manner. The calculated impact forms input for the HortiFootprint. Also, the substrate footprint will enable growers easily to see the impact of the substrate they use or want to use.”
Responsable nga produksyon
On the other hand, it is also important that the different growing media are responsibly produced. In the case of peat, the industry took the initiate to make responsible choices and make the process as transparent as possible. “Most of the peat comes from degraded peatlands”, Boon says. “For these peatlands new opportunities for a healthier future arise by securing the best possible development after completion of peat production. Preference is always restoration which not only prevents ongoing CO2 emission, but also enables recovery of a functional ecosystem that can accumulate peat again. This way ‘Win-win’ opportunities are created for both, nature conservation organizations and peat industry”, it is explained at the RPP website.
Alang usab sa ubang nagtubo nga media, ang responsable nga produksiyon hinungdanon ug aron makuha ang sertipiko sa RHP. "Alang sa fiber sa kahoy, gikinahanglan ang usa ka marka sa pamatigayon sa FSC. Dugang pa, kung tan-awon ang coco peat, nga gikan sa layo, hinungdanon nga bantayan ang kahimtang sa pagtrabaho ug ang paggamit sa tubig.
Bag-ong Nagtubo nga Media
Ang ikatulo nga aspeto nga gipuliki sa RHP mao ang paghatag ug kahibalo sa aktibong pagtrabaho sa bag-ong nagtubo nga media. Sa daghang mga tuig, karon, ang paggamit sa peat nagkunhod. "Sa tuig 2000, 90% sa mga substrate sa merkado kay peat samtang sa 2019 mikunhod kini sa 63%", gipasabut ni Boon. "Sulod sa pipila ka tuig, ang industriya nangita og bag-o o kasamtangan nga hilaw nga materyales aron makunhuran o mapulihan ang paggamit sa peat." Bisan pa, ang pagpaila sa usa ka bag-ong hilaw nga materyal alang sa nagtubo nga media dili ingon kadali ug kadali. "Ang matag hilaw nga materyal adunay epekto niini sa usa ka sagol ug usab sa kaugalingon nga espesyal nga mga kinaiya. Dili basta-basta mapulihan sa usa ang usa sa usa. Busa, nagtrabaho kami sa pagtigom ug pagpaambit sa kahibalo nga makapahimo sa mga tigpananom sa paggamit niini nga produkto. Among gikonsiderar ang walo ka mga butang nga nahimong sukaranan sa nagtubo nga media; kaluwasan sa tanom, nutrisyon, pH-gawi, pisikal nga mga kinaiya, kalig-on, kahuyang (alang sa fungi), estante-kinabuhi ug aplikasyon. Kini, pananglitan, nagpasimple usab sa desisyon alang sa tigpananom nga mobalhin sa laing substrate.
In a series of five webinars, starting this Thursday for RHP members (70 companies in total), RHP will start with giving them more information about NGM and how to apply it. From March, they will also organize seminars for all other consultants worldwide, click here for the programme.
Alang sa dugang nga impormasyon:
RHP
Galgeweg 38
2691 MG 's-Gravenzande
info@rhp.nl
www.rhp.nl/en/home