METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A PLANT GROWTH SUBSTRATE FROM CROP RESIDUES

摘要

The method relates to the manufacture of a plant growth substrate from maize straw. It is robust, suitable for large scale implementation and comprises the following steps: (i) Collection of the straw from the field (ii) Storage of the straw in heaps (iii) Mechanical dewatering of the straw (iv) Disintegration of the straw structure using impact crushing (v) Fermentation The steps iii, iv, and v can be executed in any possible order. The resulting plant growth substrate is characterized by its dry matter content of around 50%, its density of around 200 kg/m³, its total pore volume of 80%, its water content at field capacity of 40%, its carbon to nitrogen ratio of around 60, and its electrical conductivity 1mS/cm. The plant growth substrate is structurally stable and suitable to apply alone or in blends with peat, compost or other materials, for propagation of seeds and young plants, as well as for horticultural production, production of ornamental plants, landscaping and hobby gardening. Its specifications make it a viable substitute of peat.