Method for producing a substrate for cultivating plants

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a substrate for cultivating plants, comprising the following steps: a. Providing organic fiber and compost; b. Creating a mixture of the organic fiber, the compost, and an additive that leads to a hydrogen-producing chemical reaction; and c. Store the mixture until the pH value of the mixture is in a range between 4 and 6 due to the hydrogen.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a process for producing a substrate material, in particular a peat-free substrate material, for cultivating plants, and to a substrate material obtainable by the process.

[0002] Substrates for plant cultivation are well known in the art. In this regard, peat-free substrates or peat substitutes are becoming increasingly important for environmental protection.

[0003] Known variants of peat-free substrates exhibit specific qualitative and quantitative disadvantages, which add up to limit the application rates in potting soils and growing media. A significant disadvantage of known peat-free substrates – compared to natural peat-containing growing media – is their excessively high pH values. Added to this are insufficient buffering capacity, excessively high bulk densities, and low water capacity.

[0004] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to create a process for producing a substrate material, in particular a peat-free substrate material or peat substitute, with good pH values. At the very least, the object of the invention is to create an alternative process to the prior art.

[0005] This object(s) is / are achieved by a process according to claim 1 and a substrate material obtainable by the process according to claim 12. Preferred variants are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0006] The process according to the invention for producing a substrate material, in particular a peat substitute, for cultivating plants comprises the following steps: (a) providing organic fibre and compost; b) producing a mixture of the organic fibre, the compost and an additive which leads to a chemical reaction, in particular one which produces free hydrogen; and c) Store the mixture until the pH value of the mixture is between 4 and 6 due to the hydrogen.

[0007] The substrate material obtainable or produced by the process is preferably a substrate starting material (substrate mixture component) that serves as a basis or starting material for the production of culture substrates, in particular peat-free culture substrates. The invention therefore also relates to a culture substrate containing the substrate material according to the invention. Alternatively, the substrate material according to the invention can preferably also be used or employed pure (exclusively) as a culture substrate.

[0008] The organic fiber used in step a) preferably contains wood fibers. In particular, the organic fiber can consist entirely and exclusively of wood fibers. The wood fibers particularly preferably originate from coniferous trees (softwood), such as fir, spruce, pine, larch, yew, Douglas fir, hemlock, cypress, and / or juniper. Fir, spruce, and pine are particularly preferred.

[0009] The compost according to step a) is preferably a green waste compost. According to the invention, green waste compost is particularly preferably used that meets the requirements of RAL GZ 251 for substrate compost according to Table 1 below: Table 1 RAL GZ 251 Quality feature Quality requirement hygiene - Proof of treatment for hygienic purposes: Thermophilic composting with proof of the anti-epidemic and phytohygienic effectiveness of the treatment process (process testing or conformity testing according to the hygiene type-examination system according to Section 1.2 of the applicable documents of the BGK or other procedures determined by the Federal Quality Committee in individual cases) - Proof of compliance with the temperatures and temperature exposure times required for the hygienization of the products in accordance with the applicable legal provisions (process monitoring) - maximum 0.5 germinating seeds and sprouting plant parts per liter - Salmonella not detectable (in 50 g of fresh compost) Foreign substances - Limit values ​​according to the applicable legal provisions according to section 1.1, maximum 0.1 wt.% of readable foreign matter over 5 mm in diameter - Total area of ​​the foreign matter removed over 2 mm maximum 10 cm 2 / l FS stones - maximum 5 wt.% of readable stones > 2 mm - maximum 0.5 wt.% of readable stones > 10 mm Plant compatibility - Plant compatibility in the intended area of ​​application (seedling plant test) - free from volatile phytotoxic substances (cress test in a closed container) - not nitrogen immobilizing (breeding test or seedling test with N increase) Rottegrad - Rottegrad V Water content - loose goods maximum 45 wt.%, more than 40% loss on ignition, quality and testing regulations apply, or bagged goods maximum 35 wt.%. Maximum water content Annex 4 of the QMH For compost with according to Annex 2 of the compost Sieve passage - Sieve pass at 5 mm in all grain sizes at least 50 vol.% - Maximum grain size: 25 mm Organic substance - at least 15 wt.% id TS, measured as loss on ignition Pollutant levels - Limit values ​​according to 1.1 (Annex 6 of the QMH Compost) applicable legal provisions according to Section Plant nutrients Type 1 Type 2 and salinity - Salt content max. 2.5 g / l ≤ 5 g / l - min. nitrogen (sum NO3 / NH4-N) max. 300 mg / l max. 600 mg / l - soluble phosphate P2O5 max. 1200 mg / l max. 2400 mg / l - soluble potassium K2O max. 2000 mg / l max. 4000 mg / l - soluble chloride max. 500 mg / l max. 1000 mg / l - soluble sodium max. 250mg / l max. 500 mg / l Carbonates (CaCO3) - maximum 10% id TS Declaration information Labeling in accordance with applicable legal regulations. Additional information as determined by the Federal Quality Committee, at least: - Substrate compost - Manufacturer - Bulk density (volume weight) - PH value - Salt content - Total plant nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O, MgO) - Soluble plant nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O) - Micronutrients (according to the fertilizer regulations - alkaline substances such as CaO - organic substance - Net weight or volume - Instructions for proper use TS = dry matter, FS = fresh matter Type 1: up to 40 VOL% recommended mixing component content in the substrate Type 2: up to 20 VOL% recommended mixing component content in the substrate

[0010] Table 1 above does not specify which components the compost must contain, but rather specifies which components may be permitted. Therefore, the compost / green waste compost according to step a) is not restricted to specific components, but preferably contains such components that the compost / green waste compost meets the requirements of Table 1 above.

[0011] In general, the green waste that forms the green waste compost or the components of the green waste compost contain freshly cut, little or not woody plant residues, which often arise as waste during mowing or cutting in garden, landscape, roadside and / or forest maintenance.

[0012] The range of plants extends from grasses and herbs to green shrubs and green wood, such as branches, with a high proportion of leaves (foliage) and sap-bearing bark (e.g. forest residues or thinning waste).

[0013] Preferred green waste for green waste compost is therefore garden and park waste, materials from roadside areas, cemetery waste, plants and plant parts from landscape maintenance and / or plant waste from landscape maintenance.

[0014] It is particularly preferable that the green waste compost contains neither organic waste nor organic waste compost.

[0015] The production of the mixture according to step b) is preferably carried out by means of a mixing drum and / or a hammer mill.

[0016] The additive used in step b) initiates the chemical reaction that produces free hydrogen. The free hydrogen reacts with pH-active compounds that increase the pH. For example, the free hydrogen reacts with calcium carbonate present in the resulting mixture to form unreactive substances / compounds, such as gypsum.

[0017] The chemical reaction in question is, for example, an oxidation, in particular a bacterial oxidation.

[0018] Storage according to step c) is preferably carried out in such a way that the resulting mixture is protected from the weather. In particular, weather protection is preferred in that the mixture is protected from the effects of rain, e.g., by roofing and / or covering with foil. Protection from temperature influences is not absolutely necessary, although it is not excluded. Storage can preferably take place outdoors.

[0019] Preferably, in step c. of the process according to the invention, the mixture is stored until the pH of the mixture is in a range between 4.8 and 5.8, or between 5.2 and 5.7, or between 5.4 and 5.6, or between 5.45 and 5.55.

[0020] The pH value is particularly preferably around 5.5.

[0021] Preferably, during step c. of the process according to the invention, the mixture is loosened and recompacted n times, where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, and wherein the mixture is preferably loosened and then recompacted after a certain period of time.

[0022] Preferably, a chemical analysis can be carried out at certain times - for example during loosening or at another time - to determine whether the pH value has reached the desired value or is within one of the preferred ranges.

[0023] A preferred technical sequence of the method according to the invention is preferably designed by the following steps: According to steps a) and b) of the process according to the invention, the organic fiber and the compost, in particular the green waste compost, are preferably first mixed to form a starting mixture in the same way as potting soil or growing substrates in the processing plant (soil plant) using existing technology, for example a mixing drum and / or hammer mill.

[0024] Subsequently, the additive is added to the starting mixture to produce the desired mixture, preferably in such a way that the additive is present as homogeneously as possible in the mixture, and the mixture is then piled up, preferably in a location protected from the weather. The amount of additive depends on the amount of the starting mixture.

[0025] In the subsequent step c) of the process according to the invention, the mixture is loosened after a period of preferably one week and then preferably recompacted. This step serves to introduce oxygen. During the loosening process, the mixture can also be turned and / or moved, for example.

[0026] Preferably, the said loosening and compacting of the mixture takes place weekly, whereby the said chemical analysis is preferably carried out from week three onwards and when the desired pH value is reached, the substrate material obtained is ready and can be subjected to further determination.

[0027] As already mentioned, the resulting substrate material can be processed as a substrate starting material with other substances / components to form a culture substrate and preferably filled into bags or other transport containers or transported loose (unpackaged). Alternatively, the resulting substrate material can be packed neat, preferably into bags or other transport containers, or transported loose (unpackaged); either for pure (exclusive) use or as a mixed component for any desired application.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the process according to the invention ends with the finished substrate material when the chemical analysis, in addition to the pH value, indicates that nitrogen availability and / or main nutrients have an appropriate quality level.

[0029] Chemical analysis is generally performed at intervals of one or two weeks, although shorter or longer intervals are also possible.

[0030] Loosening and compacting is preferably carried out using a modified manure spreader, which a wheel loader fills with the required mix. Alternatively, tractor-drawn compost turners or windrow turners can be used.

[0031] Preferably, the storage according to step c. of the process according to the invention is for a period of between 7 and 56 days, or between 10 and 42 days, or between 13 and 28 days, wherein during these periods the chemical analysis is preferably carried out at the times already explained.

[0032] The starting mixture preferably contains X% of organic fiber and a remainder, 100%-X%, comprising compost, where X% is between 60% and 90%, or between 70% and 85%, or between 75% and 85%, or 80%. Most preferably, the remainder consists exclusively of compost.

[0033] The percentages are by volume (vol%).

[0034] The process according to the invention is preferably designed such that in step b. a nitrogen source is added to the mixture in order to degrade available carbon sources of the organic fibers and / or the compost.

[0035] Preferred nitrogen sources are horn products (e.g. horn meal, horn shavings, horn grits), feather or blood meal, hydrolyzed animal hides, fermented fungal biomass, and / or molasses / sugar cane extract / vinasse.

[0036] Further preferred examples of biological nitrogen sources or biological N fertilizers are listed in Table 2 below, wherein one or a plurality of the nitrogen sources listed in Table 2 are preferably added to the mixture. Table 2 - Preferred nitrogen sources product company Salary Composition, Remarks AB Flor 13N Agribort N 13 % Pig bristles, feather meal Agrocrops-Bio N10 Agro Mittelland N 10 % Blood meal, meat meal, olive molasses, bone meal Agrodouze Organeman N 12 % Meat meal, blood meal, feather meal Agroplum N13 Agro Mittelland N 13 % Blood meal, feather meal Agrozote (formerly Agrozote 13-0-0) Organeman N 13 % Feather meal, meat meal, blood meal Amino N8.5 Biocontrol N 8.5 % Amino acids Amino N9 Biocontrol N 9% hydrolyzed proteins Amino Veggie Biocontrol N 6% Amino acids Aminosol HünAgro N 9.5 % hydrolyzed proteins Andis Bio N 13%, scatter Reichmuth N 13 % Feather meal, hair meal, molasses Andis Bio N 12% with 5% S Reichmuth NS 12 % 5% animal and plant raw materials Azo Ten Circle N 10 % hydrolyzed skins Azocor 105 Meoc N 10.5 % Press cake, feather meal, horn meal Azocor 105 Omya N 10 % Feather meal, press cake, horn meal Azomix Landor N 12 % Feather meal, skin and hair meal, horn meal Azoplum Landor N 13 % Feather meal Azopower Plus Landor NS 11 % 5% Feather meal, kieserite, sulfur Azotes Agrobio Conseils N 10 % Hair meal, lime Organic Enne Timac Agro NS 12 % 9% hydrolyzed animal-based proteins Organic N+S Opdebeeck NS 11 % 8.5 % Feather meal, horn shavings, leather meal Biohop horn shavings Renovita N 14 % Horn shavings Bioilsa 11 Biocontrol N 11 % Leather meal, feather meal, vinasse Biorga Cuma Hauert HGB N 12 % Leather flour, malt Biorga Duro Hauert HGB N 12 % animal and plant proteins Biorga Horn Meal Hauert HGB N 14 % Animal horn mineralization: medium (2-3 months) Biorga horn shavings Hauert HGB N 14 % Animal horn mineralization: slow (5-8 months) Biorga Plumos Hauert HGB N P2O5 12 % 3% Feather meal, meat-bone meal, horn meal Biorga Quick (formerly: Biorga Quick crumbled nitrogen fertilizer) Hauert HGB N 12 % Feather meal, meat-bone meal, horn meal excipient bud Biorga nitrogen fertilizer pellets Hauert HGB N 12 % Feather meal, meat-bone meal, horn meal, malt germs, auxiliary substance bud Biosol Biocontrol N 6 - 8 % fermented fungal biomass Biosol organic garden N 6 - 8 % fermented fungal biomass Biosol Isely N 6 - 8 % fermented fungal biomass Biosol Soilcare N 6-8% fermented fungal biomass Bioter N Biocontrol N P2O5 12 % 2.5 % Horn shavings, feather meal, wool, dung Biovin organic power fertilizer 9N Ecohum N 9% plant substances from food production Cf bio StyriaFert N+ Calcium Fert N 13 % Feather meal, bristle meal Cockspeed Bio N Ecohum N 9% DiamineBasic Biocontrol N 6.5 % hydrolyzed protein Feather meal Ecohum N 13 % Feather meal Fiwo plans PUR Ecohum N K2O 9% 5% sheep's wool FP12-1-1 Agribort N P2O5 K2O 12 % 1% 1% Feather meal Geistlich leather flour Hauert HGB N 11 % Leather flour Spiritual N12 Hauert HGB N 12 % Feather meal, bone meal, chicken manure Glutenamine N6.5 Protan AG N 6.5 % hydrolyzed proteins Hauert Biorga Horn Meal Hauert HGB N 14 % Animal horn mineralization: medium (2-3 months) Hauert Biorganic N-Star Hauert HGB N 12 % Feather meal, horn meal, bone meal, dolomite, malt germs, vinasse Horn meal Ecohum N 10 % animal horns Horn meal Rytz N 14 % animal horns Horn shavings 3folium N 14 % horn Horn shavings Rytz N 14 % Mineralization: slow (5-8 months) Horn shavings 0-6 mm Ecohum N 14 % animal horns Labinor N10 Vitistim N 10 % hydrolyzed skins Lalstim Osmo Schneider N 12% Betaine Lalstim Osmo Lallemand Plant Care N 12 % Betaine Lalstim Osmo (formerly: Greenstim / Lalstim Osmo) Biocontrol N 12% Betaine Migros Bio Garden - horn shavings Migros N 13 % Steamed horn shavings N-Bio 12% Landor N 12 % Feather, fur & bristle meal, horn meal N-Mix 12 Opdebeeck N 12 % Horn shavings, feather meal, wool Nutribio N 9-0-0 Fenaco Winterthur N 9% Nutricorn Landor N 14 % Hoof and horn shavings OPF 11-0-5 European Championship Switzerland N K2O 11 % 5% Sugar cane extract Orgagreen 125 Omya N 13 % Hide meal, malt germs Organic Plant Feed 11-0-5 Yves Kessler N K2O 11 % 5% fermented plant biomass Orgazot Medio Silmark N 14 % Blood meal Orgazot Micro Silmark N 14 % Blood meal Orgazot Micro Micro Silmark N 14 % Blood meal Oscorna horn shavings Hauenstein N 14 % horns Osiryil AA Caminada N 7.5 % hydrolyzed animal proteins Pellet 105 North 3folium N 11 % Feather meal, cocoa shells Physio N14+ Timac Agro N 14 % Protein N8.5 Protan AG N 8.5 % Protein hydrolysate Provita Hairmeal Pellets 3folium N 14 % Pig bristles Sedumin hair meal pellets 14% N Reichmuth N 14 % Pig bristles Start'hair Landor N 13 % hydrolyzed skins Styriafert feather meal pellets Omya N 13 % Feather meal Styriafert N+ Omya N 13 % Feather meal, bristle meal Styriafert N105 Omya N 10.5 % Feather meal Swiss Green Golf Organic High N Swiss Green N 12 % Feather meal, horn meal, meat bone meal, vinasse, dolomite trainer Meoc N 5% Bone meal Trapper Veg Omya N 6.5 % hydrolyzed proteins

[0037] The added nitrogen source provides the nitrogen N required for microorganisms, preferably bacteria, to degrade the readily available carbon sources of the organic fiber, especially the wood fiber. With untreated (fresh) wood fibers, this degradation process normally takes place in the soil (in the substrate) or in the potting soil used and leads to the fixation of plant-available nitrogen ("N immobilization"). By adding the nitrogen source, this step is shifted "forward" in the process, so that the resulting substrate material exhibits low biological activity or low nitrogen mobilization.

[0038] The amount of nitrogen source added to the mixture depends on its nitrogen content. For a nitrogen content of 10 wt.% (weight percent) of the mixture, 2 to 4 kg / m 3 , especially 3 kg / m 3, added to the nitrogen source, whereby the quantities refer to the volume (m 3 (cubic meters) of organic fiber together with the compost. Horn meal, for example, has a nitrogen content of 10 to 14 wt.% (weight percent) according to Table 2 and is preferably added to the mixture in the stated amount.

[0039] The process according to the invention is designed in particular such that the additive contains or consists of (i) ammonium sulfate and water, and / or (ii) sulfur, in particular elemental (and preferably organic) sulfur, and water.

[0040] In the case that the additive corresponds to variant (i), the additive also represents the nitrogen source.

[0041] The advantage of variant (ii) is that the substrate material produced meets the requirements for organic plant production of various national and / or international associations (e.g. EU organic label, Naturland or Bioland).

[0042] Without being limited to theory, it is assumed that in variant (i), in which the additive contains or consists of ammonium sulfate and water, the following process takes place: (I) Dissociation of ammonium sulfate in water I.1. (NH4)2SO4↔2 NH4 + + SO4 2- I.2. NH4 + + H2O↔NH3+ H3O + Note: Reaction equilibrium of I.2. lies strongly on the left side (NH4 + ), since conversion to ammonia (NH3) only occurs at high pH values. (II) Nitrification (Bacterial oxidation of NH4 + to NO3 - ) II.1. Nitrite bacteria, e.g. Nitrosomonas, take up ammonium (NH4 +) from the environment and oxidize it to nitrite (NO2 - ) according to: NH4 + + 1 ½ O2 → NO2 - + H2O + 2H + II.2. Nitrate bacteria, e.g. Nitrobacter, oxidize the nitrite (NO2 - ) to nitrate (NO3 - ) according to: NO2 - + ½ O2 → NO3 (III) Response to pH by direct acidic action through the release of hydrogen protons (H + ) to the environment according to II. Nitrification III.1. Conversion of sulfate and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) formed in dissociation (I) into chemically “inert” (low-reactivity) gypsum according to 4H + + 2SO4 2- + 2CaCO3 → 2CaSO4 + 2H2O + 2CO2

[0043] The loosening and compacting described, which is preferably carried out in the process, serves to supply oxygen in order to promote the oxidation according to (II).

[0044] For the production of the mixture in step b) of the process, the additive consisting of ammonium sulfate and water is preferably used in the following quantities: Ammonium sulfate: 1 to 3 kg / m 3 , preferably 2 kg / m 3 ; and Water: 30 to 40 liters / m 3 ; where the m 3 -Information refers to the volume of organic fiber together with the compost.

[0045] Particularly preferably, the already mentioned starting mixture of organic fiber and compost is provided first and then the additive of the starting mixture in the above quantities (based on the volume of the starting mixture in cubic meters (m 3 )) and mixed with the original mixture.

[0046] Furthermore, without being limited to theory, it is assumed that in variant (ii), in which the additive is sulphur, in particular elemental sulphur, and water, the following process takes place: (I) Sulfur oxidation (Bacterial oxidation of sulfur to sulfate (SO4 2- ) I.1. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (sulfuricants) Thiobacillus ssp. absorb sulfur (S) from the environment and oxidize it to sulfate: 2S + 3O2 + H2O → 2H + + 2SO4 2- (II) The reaction is identical to (III of variant i); reaction to the pH value by the direct acidic effect through the release of hydrogen protons (H + ) to the environment according to I. Sulphur oxidation III.2. Conversion of sulfate and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) formed in sulfur oxidation (I) into chemically “inert” (low-reactivity) gypsum according to 4H + + 2SO4 2- + 2CaCO3 → 2CaSO4 + 2H2O + 2CO2

[0047] In this variant, too, the loosening and compacting described, which is preferably carried out in the process, serves to supply oxygen in order to promote the oxidation according to (I).

[0048] For the production of the mixture in step b) of the process, the additive, sulfur, is preferably used in the following amount: Sulfur: 0.5 to 2 kg / m 3 , preferably 1 kg / m 3 ; where again the m 3 -Information refers to the volume of organic fiber together with the compost.

[0049] Particularly preferred, as in variant (i), is first the already mentioned starting mixture of organic fiber and compost provided and then the additive, the sulfur, is added to the starting mixture in the above quantities (based on the volume of the starting mixture in cubic meters (m 3 )) and mixed with the original mixture.

[0050] From the reaction principles presented above, which primarily occur in process step c) during storage, it is evident that according to the invention, hydrogen, in particular free hydrogen, is formed, which converts the pH-active, pH-increasing compounds into low-reactivity substances, such as gypsum.

[0051] As a result, the substrate material produced finally has the desired pH value after completion of the process.

[0052] The invention also relates to the substrate material for cultivating plants itself, ie a substrate material obtainable by the above process according to the invention and its preferred variants.

[0053] The substrate material obtained is particularly preferably the substrate starting material (substrate mixing component) already mentioned for the production of peat-free growing substrates and / or potting soils which can be used for professional applications or hobby applications.

[0054] The prepared and obtained substrate material has very beneficial effects, as follows: - As a substrate starting material, it provides a natural boost in suppressing soil-borne phytopathogens; - it forms a basis for a controllable structure for optimal nutrient loading through additional added raw materials; - Locally available and renewable raw materials can be used to produce the substrate material according to the invention; - Overall, the substrate material according to the invention has improved chemical, physical and biological properties compared to the known raw materials.

[0055] In the following, a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is explained with reference to the attached figure.

[0056] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of the individual steps of the method according to the invention.

[0057] The statements before the above description of the figures in the general part of the description apply equally to the following preferred embodiment.

[0058] The process according to the invention serves to produce a substrate material according to the invention for plant cultivation. The essential steps of the process are as follows: (a) providing organic fibre and compost; b) producing a mixture of the organic fibre, the compost and an additive which results in a hydrogen-producing chemical reaction; and c) Store the mixture until the pH value of the mixture is between 4 and 6 due to the hydrogen.

[0059] Fig. 1 shows a preferred sequence of the method according to the invention.

[0060] Process step S0 forms the start and the first step of the method according to the invention, in which the above steps a) and b) are carried out.

[0061] In this embodiment, in step a), softwood fibers, which form the organic fiber, and green waste compost, which forms the compost, are mixed and blended together to form a starting mixture.

[0062] Preferably, the starting mixture does not contain any other components.

[0063] The starting mixture, for example, has a proportion of softwood fibers of 80% and thus a proportion (remainder) of green waste compost of 20%.

[0064] Subsequently, according to step b) of the process, the mixture is created by adding the additive to the starting mixture. The starting mixture and the additive are thoroughly blended so that the additive is present as uniformly / homogeneously as possible in the mixture. For example, the starting mixture and / or the mixture are created using a mixing drum and a hammer drum.

[0065] In this embodiment, the additive is ammonium sulfate and water.

[0066] Subsequently, step c) of the process according to the invention begins, the storage of the mixture, wherein the mixture is covered in a weatherproof manner, in particular protected from rain.

[0067] The additive leads to the following chemical reaction producing free hydrogen, which has already been described in the general part.

[0068] The ammonium sulfate undergoes dissociation in water according to the reaction equations (NH4)2SO4↔2 NH4+ + SO4 2- and NH4 + + H2O↔NH3+ H3O + . The reaction equilibrium of the latter reaction equation lies strongly on the left side (NH4 + ), since the conversion to ammonia (NH3) only occurs at high pH values.

[0069] Nitrite bacteria, Nitrosomonas, absorb the resulting ammonium (NH4 + ) from the environment and oxidize it to nitrite (NO2 - ) according to the reaction equation NH4 + + 1 ½ O2 → NO2 - + H2O + 2H + , producing free hydrogen.

[0070] The free hydrogen released into the environment leads to the reaction to the desired pH value by reacting with the sulfate (SO4 2- ) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in chemically “inert” (low-reactivity) gypsum (reaction equation 4H + + 2SO4 2- + 2CaCO3 → 2CaSO4 + 2H2O + 2CO2).

[0071] In general, hydrogen neutralizes substances that increase the pH value.

[0072] The additive used in this embodiment, ammonium sulfate and water, also forms a preferred nitrogen source.

[0073] The nitrogen provided serves to degrade the readily available carbon sources in the softwood fibers. As a result, the final substrate material exhibits low biological activity in the soil or substrate (low nitrogen mobilization), since the readily available carbon sources have already been degraded in the process.

[0074] Preferably, another nitrogen source, as mentioned in the general part before the description of the figures, can be added additionally.

[0075] The relevant reactions begin immediately after steps a) and b).

[0076] Step c) takes several weeks. During the first few weeks, the temperature of the mixture rises to 60°C due to increased microbial activity, particularly the degradation of the wood fibers.

[0077] After a period of one week since the start of storage according to step c), process step S1 takes place.

[0078] In this step, the mixture is loosened and recompacted. This process is carried out to add oxygen to the stored mixture and promote the described oxidation (to nitrate).

[0079] After one week of storage according to step c), process step S2 is carried out and after another week thereafter, process step S3 is carried out.

[0080] In both process steps S2 and S3, the measures from process step S1 are repeated.

[0081] In step S3, a chemical analysis of the mixture stored up to that point is performed for the first time. In particular, this chemical analysis checks whether the pH has reached its target value, which is typically 5.5. In addition, other parameters, such as an EC value and key nutrient values, can be checked during the chemical analysis.

[0082] The process then proceeds to decision step S4.

[0083] If the chemical analysis has shown that the pH value has reached its target value, YES in S4, then the process proceeds to step S5, where in step S5 the process ends with the mixture forming the finished substrate material and being further processed and / or bottled, for example.

[0084] If, however, decision step S4 determines that the pH value has not yet reached its target value, the process returns to step S3 at an interval of one week. If the subsequent decision step S4 again determines that the pH value has still not reached its target value, the process returns to step S3, but with the time period extended from one to two weeks.

[0085] The loop of steps S3 and S4 is then repeated at two-week intervals until chemical analysis shows that the pH has reached its target value. The process then proceeds to the described step S5.

[0086] The resulting substrate material can be used pure (exclusively) as a growing substrate or as a substrate starting material, which is mixed with other substances or components as intended to produce a final growing substrate or potting soil. The latter is particularly preferred.

[0087] A tested culture substrate containing the substrate material produced / obtained by the process according to the present embodiment as substrate starting material has the following composition: 50 vol.% substrate material according to the invention; 30 vol.% bark humus; 20 vol.% wood fibers (e.g., ultrafine); 0.5 kg / m 3 NPK (14-10-18); 0.5 kg / m 3 NP (23-14); 0.1 kg / m 3 Micronutrient fertilizer; 0.04 l / m 3 Wetting agent and pH (CaCl2): approx. 5.8.

[0088] The tested growing medium was compared with a peat-based growing medium in an experiment. In the experiment, poinsettias were planted simultaneously with both growing media.

[0089] The peat-containing growing substrate had the following composition: 40 vol.% white peat milled peat (0-40); 10 vol.% white peat milled peat (5-10); 20 vol.% white peat sod (10-22); 20 vol.% wood fibers; 10 vol.% perlite (2-6); 100 kg / m 3 Clay; 0.1 kg / m 3 Micronutrient fertilizer; 0.04 l / m 3 Wetting agent; pH (CaCl2): approx. 5.8; with the addition of approx. 25 vol.% compost.

[0090] The experiment showed that the tested peat-free growing substrate with the substrate material according to the invention as a base produced the same results as the peat-containing growing substrate.

[0091] As an alternative to the additive used in the embodiment (ammonium sulfate and water), elemental sulfur and water can be used as the additive. The final pH-adjusting reaction is identical in this case, with the hydrogen coming from the ongoing sulfur oxidation. This alternative meets the requirements for organic plant production of various national and / or international associations (e.g., EU organic label, Naturland, or Bioland).

Claims

[1] A process for producing a substrate material for cultivating plants, comprising the following steps: a. Providing organic fibre and compost; b. Creating a mixture of the organic fiber, the compost, and an additive that results in a hydrogen-producing chemical reaction; and c. Store the mixture until the pH value of the mixture is between 4 and 6 due to the hydrogen. [2] The process according to claim 1, wherein in step c. the mixture is stored until the pH of the mixture is in a range between 4.8 and 5.8; or between 5.2 and 5.7; or between 5.4 and 5.6; or between 5.45 and 5.

55. [3] A method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein during step c. the mixture is loosened and recompacted n times, where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein during step c. the mixture is loosened after a certain period of time and then compacted again. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage period according to step c. is between 7 and 56 days; or between 10 and 42 days; or between 13 and 28 days. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein in step a. a starting mixture of the organic fiber and the compost is provided, and in step b. the additive is added to the starting mixture to produce the mixture. [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein the starting mixture contains X% of organic fiber and a remainder, 100%-X%, contains the compost, and X% is between 60% and 90%, or between 70% and 85%, or between 75% and 85%, or 80%, where the % values ​​correspond to volume %. [8] A process according to claim 7, wherein the remainder consists of the compost. [9] A method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein the organic fiber material contains or consists of wood fibers. [10] A process according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein in step b. a nitrogen source is added to the mixture to degrade available carbon sources of the organic fibers and / or the compost. [11] A process according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the additive comprises or consists of: -(i) ammonium sulfate and water, and / or -(ii) sulphur, in particular elemental sulphur, and water. [12] Substrate material for the cultivation of plants, which is obtainable by the process according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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