Research meets practice
ToSuGa project visits Klasmann-Deilmann
How can the peat content in growing media be further reduced without compromising on quality and crop security? The ToSuGa research project is addressing this and other questions. On 16 and 17 September, participants in the project visited us. The focus was on a professional exchange regarding peat alternatives, as well as fascinating insights into our research, quality assurance and production.
Exchange on peat alternatives
We began by welcoming the group to our site in Geeste. Following a company presentation, we took them on a tour of the greenhouse, the physics laboratory and the technical centre. This quickly led to an in-depth discussion about various alternative growing media, their properties and the different methods we use to examine and evaluate them.
The extensive facilities available to us for developing and testing our substrates aroused particular interest. These include, for example, our pot-pressing machine, which regularly attracts attention from visiting groups. It enables practical investigations and illustrates just how closely research and application are related within our organisation.
During the presentation, we also introduced the teams within our department that are working on the various topics. The importance placed on quality assurance at Klasmann-Deilmann and the comprehensive nature of our technical consultancy services were very well absorbed. It thus became clear to our guests that the development of new and peat-reduced growing media goes far beyond the selection of suitable raw materials.
From research to production
On the second day, Jan Frankemölle accompanied the group on visits to Papenburg and Sedelsberg. There, the project participants gained an insight into our production schemes and learnt about the numerous steps required to ultimately produce high-quality growing media.
In Papenburg, there was a particular focus on raw material handling. Here, we were able to clearly demonstrate the influence that the purchase, selection and handling of our raw materials have on the subsequent quality of our growing media. The visit thus bridged the gap between scientific research, quality assurance and the demands of day-to-day production practice.
Working together on safe growing media
ToSuGa stands for ‘Peat reduction with safe growing media for professional horticulture’. This collaborative project focuses on further developing growing media with reduced peat content or no peat content, ensuring they meet the high standards of professional horticulture in terms of plant growth, plant health, irrigation and mechanisation.
The two days of visits demonstrated once again just how valuable direct exchange between research and practice is. At the same time, we were able to convey to our guests the level of commitment and the technical capabilities with which our teams are working on the further development of modern growing media. The many technical discussions provided both sides with new insights and valuable impetus for future work.
Foto: Merle Gierga