Over the years , Novarbo Oy has been spring up alternative substratum to enhance sustainability in the horticulture sector . Where the fellowship has contributed to peat - free and circular ontogenesis , they now aim for nothing less than plastic - loose ontogenesis . In 2020 , this Finish troupe introduced its Mosswool slabs as an constitutive choice to stonewool . ab initio , this production comprise of a compounding of sphagnum moss moss and peat . However , in light of forthcoming peat bans , the company developed a completely peat - gratis substate . This before long - to - be RHP - certified substratum is made of 75 % wood fiber and 25 % acrotelm ( the actively growing top bed of a peat bog ) . Now , the company is conducting visitation with plastic - costless Mosswool . " It ’s too early to make any final conclusions , but these trials look perfectly hopeful , " says Pirita Luolamaa - Vollebregt of Novarbo Oy .
Novarbo Oy ’s Mosswool substrate
sphagnum moss moss substratesMosswool is considered to be a sustainable alternative for peat as it is made of sphagnum moss and wood fiber . " Acrotelm is the top bed of a bog which lie of bog flora such as Sphagnum mosses . After harvest , Spaghnum moss will regrow rather quick , with re - harvesting being potential in about 30 geezerhood . For this intellect , Spaghnum moss is more sustainable than peat . Moreover , after usage , Mosswool can be locally compost together with craw residual . Or it can be recycled which minimizes disposal costs while providing in the altogether material for new substratum like grow bag for consumer . Novarbo Oy ’s sphagnum moss is harvested using a patented bionomic method called the Light Sphagnum Removal proficiency ( LSR proficiency ) . This technique always leaves a part of the area unharvested to activate the regrowth of the botany . And we do n’t collect from protected sites or natural province bogs , " Pirita explain . She adds : " Ultimately , we aim to permit for peat - loose and charge plate - free ontogeny . Since plastic - free substrates for hydroponics do n’t yet subsist , it would be groundbreaking if our trials with plastic - liberal substrates would be successful . "
Tomato trials in AgrotopiaSince last class , Novarbo Oy has been trialing these plastic - liberal substrates . In the Agrotopia enquiry center in Belgium , Lycopersicon esculentum crops are on 4 different Mosswool substrates : Peat - check Mosswool with and without plastic and peat - loose Mosswool with and without plastic . This trial started in 2023 , in hebdomad 43 , and will last until August 2024 . The charge plate - fee and peat - gratis version of the substratum is also on show in Tomatoworlds ' greenhouse in Honselersdijk ( the Netherlands ) . Pirita elaborates on the plastic - free substrate , saying : " It seems like it ’s very dry , but that ’s only what you see on the outside . The internal part perfectly absorbs moisture . It functions like a quick study and a buffer , which facilitates irrigation and fertilization . Indeed , the substrate is very dry on the exterior , but that ’s quite beneficial because it helps to preclude excessive alga growth . " She also wants to tackle the theme that plastic - devoid substrates prevent root ontogenesis : " Unlike what ’s often thought , plastic is not needed to stymie the light outside of the slab so that the roots can grow properly . This has already been establish in previous trials . " She also foreground that the plastic - loose substrates are not only suitable for tomatoes : " It can also be used for cucumbers and bell peppers ; we have client who apply them for strawberries . The substrate are suitable for almost any crop that can farm on slabs or develop dish . "
Novarbo Oy ’s plastic - free and peat - destitute Mosswool substratum in Tomatoworl ( Honselersdijk , the Netherlands )
on-going developmentsSince January 2023 , Novarbo Oy has also carried out exam with cucumber plant life in the Research Station for Vegetable Production in Sint - Katelijne - Waver ( Belgium ) . " For this trial , we employ substrates that solely lie of wood fiber . Although these trial do n’t yet demand plastic - spare substrates , Pirita does n’t rule out the possibility that this substrate will also become plastic - free . This trial is expected to end in late April 2024 . She adds : " We would also wish to see if we can use the substratum for more than 1,5 years . Until now we have n’t used it any longer , but it would be capital if someone could screen it for more than 1,5 year . We require that the substratum can be used at least for up to two years , " she continues . This summer Novarbo Oy will start a pilot project in cooperation with Lensli Substrates to flesh out the number of Novarbo Oy ’s organic , ( peat - costless ) products on offer .
For more information : Novarbo OyLauttakyläntie 5727510 Eura , FinlandTel . : ( 02 ) 5491 680Fax : ( 02 ) 5491 660Email:[email protected]novarbo.fi
