agrifoodtech.cofund@upct.es
Sustainable growing media in horticulture
Research Code: C1-GROWING MEDIA
| What are we looking for
We are seeking innovative research proposals that explore the sustainability, environmental performance and functional roles of growing media in horticultural systems, considering factors that influence the adoption and performance of peat alternatives and their contribution to more sustainable horticultural production.
Keep in mind that supervisors are not allowed to get involved in the project proposal preparation.
The Context:
Peat has long been a key component of horticultural growing media because of its favorable physical and chemical properties, including good water retention and aeration, stable pH and light weight as well as consistency, availability and affordability. However, its use raises well-documented environmental and sustainability concerns, particularly due to its slow renewability and the ecological impacts associated with peatland degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. In parallel with broader efforts to identify more sustainable alternatives to peat, increasing attention is being given to renewable and locally available materials that could support horticultural production while reducing environmental pressures. Understanding the properties, performance and implications of such materials remain an active area of research within horticultural science and substrate management.
The problem to address:
Peat-free growing media often differ substantially in their physical, chemical, biological and environmental characteristics, which can influence plant-substrate interactions, resource-use efficiency and overall system sustainability. This diversity creates challenges for understanding how alternative materials perform under different horticultural conditions and how their properties relate to crop growth, substrate behavior, or environmental impacts. In addition, factors such as variability in raw material quality, degradation patterns, nutrient dynamics or broader socioeconomic and logistical considerations highlight the complexity of identifying sustainable pathways for reducing dependence on peat. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires advancing scientific knowledge on the functioning, performance and implications of alternative growing media within horticultural systems.
Objectives:
Advance understanding of the properties, dynamics and implications of peat alternatives for soilless horticultural production.
Investigate factors influencing the environmental, agronomic and socioeconomic dimensions of sustainable growing media and their role in horticultural production systems.
Explore how different management approaches influence the functioning and performance of alternative growing media in substrate-based horticultural crops.
Expected Outcomes:
Research conducted under this line may contribute to broader scientific perspectives on peat alternatives and their roles in horticultural production. Possible outcomes may include:
- Evidence to support new frameworks for how alternative growing media functions in horticultural systems, especially substrate behavior and plant responses.
- Insights into broader sustainability implications of transitioning away from peat, including potential environmental, agronomic or socioeconomic trade-offs associated with peat-free growing media usage.
- Knowledge that could enhance interdisciplinary discussions on sustainable substrate selection and management, help situate horticultural growing media within wider debates on resource renewability and circularity.
Candidate Qualifications (if any):
Candidates may come from a broad range of disciplines relevant to the topic, including agronomy, horticulture, or other closely related scientific fields. Experience or familiarity with research areas such as soilless cultivation, fertigation practices, data analysis and statistical approaches, or sustainability-related aspects of horticultural systems may be considered an asset.