R&D of a New Seedling Substrate of Joint Unit of Compressing Integral Substrate (JUCIS) in China

Authors:
Xianmin Meng

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
fen-peat, jucis, seedlings

Documentfile:
Meng 2012: R&D of a New Seedling Substrate of Joint Unit of Compressing Integral Substrate (JUCIS) in China

Summary:

Theme II. Peat for horticulture, energy and other uses

SUMMARY

A new peat product of Joint Unit of Compressing Integral Substrate (JUCIS) made of fen peat has been studied and industrially developed following development of the single unit of Compressing Integral Substrate (CIS) in China. A large scale production line has been established in Northeast China. The benefit of the new product has been proven in the Chinese market. The JUCIS is manufactured by linking over 20 units of single CIS into a joint unit product at the tangent point amongst CIS by using a special model and hydro press. Comparing with the CIS, three improvements have been made: 1) JUCIS can easily be produced industrially by standardization and automation; dust emissions during production are prevented; labor and product costs have been decreased by 79% and 30%, respectively. 2) Spacing of nursery seedlings can be reduced; water evaporation from the substrate decreases by 35%, and temperature of the substrate has been increased by 2-4 ℃ which prevents temperature fluctuation of the seedling during different cultivation seasons. 3) JUCIS is easy to be packed, transported and used. Productivity of seedling nurseries can be increased up to 42% and labor costs can be decreased by 23%.The JUCIS can be separated as single units before transplantation.