Sustainable growing media testing
Designing peat free blends
Peat as a growing medium has been sold in garden centres and used in glasshouses since the 1960s. It can improve soil structure and retain water while allowing air circulation. The extraction of peat for compost in horticulture has led to the degradation of peatlands, which are vital carbon stores.
Alternatives to peat exist, but supplies are either expensive or not available in enough quantities. For some applications, peat can be replaced with a single sustainable growing medium. However, a blend of raw materials is often necessary to meet production cost and product quality criteria.
ADAS offers a growing media analysis and design service to speed up the development of new, reliable and high-performing peat alternative growing media.
Resources
Speak to the team
Chemical analysis
Alongside physical properties, we work with trusted testing laboratories to analyse:
- pH
- electrical conductivity (EC)
- nutrients
- cation exchange capacity
- microbial stability
- herbicide residue testing (growth test or chemical test)
- biological stability testing
- pathogen testing.
Other lab tests are available on request.
Request a chemical testAdditional analysis options available
Most prototype blends will flow through potting machines and tray fillers, but some set-ups need a slower flow. We can test the suitability of new materials to mechanisation.
Some sectors need peat-based growing media to form free-standing blocks for propagation. Let us know if you require this as part of testing.
Reporting results
You will receive all the raw data, along with analysis and a report detailing the suitability of test materials for use in growing media. This can be accompanied with a follow-up meeting with a consultant to discuss further product development where required.
Blend performance trials
Experimental and commercial testing of new growing media blends
As experts in on-site large-scale commercial trials, we are able to host multi-option irrigation and nutrient delivery system trials. These can be modified to accommodate any plant type, from bedding through to young trees. Fine-tuning growing media mixes to work with a certain growing system type (e.g. drip, overhead sprinkler, subsurface irrigation or CRF / liquid feeding nutrition) may require live crop testing.
These are small-scale, controlled experiments with a test species of your choice or with species recommended by us to reflect the desired end use of your product.
An example set-up for an experimental trial for ornamental pot plant production:
1. To the blend, we place up to three species that are easy/moderate/difficult to grow.
2. We also test four replicates against an industry standard potting mix in a polytunnel or on hardstanding.
3. We assess plant height, vigour and root establishment.
4. We analyse the data and produce a summary report.
Take your trial blend to the next level and scale up to test in a commercial setting. Trial details are tailored to suit your requirements and budget.
Arrange a commercial testTraining
Our consultants can offer industry workshop delivery or training to share our specialist growing media and crop system knowledge.
Get in touch to find out moreArrange analysis and testing
Any of our services can be chosen in any combination. The price will be given on application, as experimental or commercial trial work pricing will depend on location, duration and complexity.
Speak to the team