Make a choice: A rapid strategy for minimizing peat in horticultural press pots substrates using a constrained mixture design and surface response approach

Peat is the most common used substrate in horticultural seedling production. To reduce peat in horticultural potted plant cultivation systems in general is an obstacle, even within the highly specialized horticultural industry. Next to soil-less cultivation systems as e.g. hydroponics, the horticultural industry is eagerly looking for suitable peat substitutes. The demands on these compounds are high, basically mimicking the physical properties of peat. A 100% replacement of peat for press-pots used in seedling production has not yet been found, and only mixes of peat and substrates exist. Several suitable peat substitutes with different properties are known, that usually are used as a share of a mixed peat-substitute substrate. A constrained mixture design was used to test substrates containing 50% v/v and 25% v/v peat and four peat substitutes (two composts and two wood fibers) for vegetable seedling production. By limiting the maximum quantities of each material to be added, there was no negative effect on the growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis). This means a reduction in of peat to 25% v/v is possible without a change in substrate quality. The mixture design allowed a quick decision to be made regarding the most suitable peat-reduced mixtures. The surface response approach enabled the experimental results to be easily transferred to horticultural practices, additionally. This flexible and efficient method also allows the predictions to be used to meet specific crop management needs.