Authors:
Olli Reinikainen, Juha Korpi, Risto Tahvonen, Juha Näkkilä, Niko Silvan, Kaisa Silvan
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
growing-medium, harvesting-technology, renewability, sphagnum
Documentfile:
Reinikainen et al 2012: Harvesting of Sphagnum Biomass and Its Use as a Growing Medium Constituent
Summary:
Theme II. Peat for horticulture, energy and other uses
SUMMARY
The lack of efficient harvesting technology has restricted the use of Sphagnum biomass as a growing medium constituent. Our intention was to develop a mechanical harvesting method for naturally grown Sphagnum and ensuring its renewability. Secondly, we wanted to study the efficiency of Sphagnum moss as a growing media constituent. We succeeded to mechanically harvest 25 cm thick layers of Sphagnum vegetation on the surface of a natural peat bog in winter conditions. This material was dried in a nearby load-bearing area in spring conditions. The follow-up of the regeneration of Sphagnum vegetation showed a development of new Sphagnum fragments even after the first summer. Environmental impacts are minimal in harvesting. Studies on the growing media use of Sphagnum moss qualities showed excellent results with cucumber, tomato and lettuce seedlings compared to white peat and mineral wool.