Peat-free in action – Taking the industry forward

Over 130 growers, distributors and consultants attended our Hort Science Live (HSL) ‘Peat-free in action’ events in Cambridge last month.  Moving away from the ‘peat debate’, the five trials-led workstations focussed on how to take the industry forward.

Welcoming delegates, ICL sales manager Adrian Thirtle-Watts said; “Change is happening, and we need to recognise how we manage it.  As with peat, a lot of materials used in peat-free mixes may look the same, but they all handle slightly differently. While one woodfibre product may look like another, it will perform in a different manner.”

HSL 2024 was designed to help delegates understand how peat-free mixes perform and how to manage them – providing practical advice on how best to look after their crops. The events featured major new trials with ICL’s groundbreaking new Fibagro Advance woodfibre range – which now includes new ‘fine’ and ‘super fine’ grades.

“Supporting the industry in its bid to go peat-free, we have invested heavily in R&D, including the development of a thermomechanical process producing four grades of Fibagro Advance,” says Adrian. “Replicating what we developed with quality peat growing media, we are screening and blending different Fibagro Advance woodfibre fractions to optimise the performance of our peat-reduced and peat-free mixes. By blending different grades together, we can improve the water to air properties of peat-free mixes.

“In addition, at HSL we explored the technologies – the fertilisers, biologicals and wetting agents – that can help us use peat-free to manage our crops better. Ultimately, to learn how to manage unique situations from nursery to nursery. With our latest series of UK trials, our skilled technical team offers practical advice that is scientifically, as well as trials, based.”

At the ‘Rethinking plant nutrition’ workstation, Andrew Wilson – ICL technical manager for the UK and Ireland – outlined the issues relating to peat-free growing media, before moving on to how to overcome these. He outlined the importance of looking at the peat-free raw materials, water quality, N compensation and overall crop nutrition – demonstrated through his extensive 2024 Osmocote 5 trials, exploring longevities and rates.

HSL 2024 also brought attendees up to date regarding new European regulations for faster biodegradable coatings. ICL’s international technical manager, Lianne van Wijk, explained that while CRFs provide controlled nutrient release over a set number of months, this directly conflicts with the properties of faster biodegradable coatings – providing a major challenge.

“Fully committed to the project, ICL is working hard on this challenge,” she said. “We believe Osmocote and CRFs have a key role to play in the future production of resilient and healthy CNS, pot and bedding plants – optimising nutrient release and efficiency while minimising leaching”.

Look out for our HSL peat-free in action videos, which will be made available in the coming weeks.

Rethinking nutrition in peat-free – Andrew Wilson, ICL technical manager for UK and Ireland

Breakthroughs in woodfibre and sustainable alternatives for the future – Steve Chapman and Stephen Briggs – ICL technical area sales managers

A new dawn for biostimulants – Sam Rivers, ICL technical manager for controls