PRODUCING GROWING MEDIA RESPONSIBLY TO HELP SUSTAIN HORTICULTURE

Basic traditional knowledge of the characteristics of materials to formulate growing media was common in the past.
Choosing growing media constituents and additives for the manufacture of growing media today, requires a much more differentiated approach.
Besides knowing the chemical, physical and biological properties of materials and considering general economic aspects, now environmental and social aspects are gaining importance for decision-making.
The careful manage-ment and scientific evaluation of growing media constituents and production of such media are essential to satisfy the increasing demands of growers, growing media manufacturers, environmental NGOs, governmental bodies, and other stakeholders.
In particular the ‘peat issue’ continues to gain attention in Europe and elsewhere.
Debates are often based on biased approaches by any one stakeholder group.
The recent comparative life cycle assessment of horticultural growing media based on peat and other growing media constituents, commissioned by the European Peat and Growing Media Association (EPAGMA), clearly shows that all growing media constit¬uents and growing media have an environmental impact.
Sustainable development of the growing media and horticulture industries is only feasible when based on a holistic approach when selecting constituents.

International Symposium on Growing Media and Soilless Cultivation

G. Schmilewski

constituents, environmental impact, holistic approach, life cycle assessment, peat, performance, sustainable development

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1034.37