NUTRIENT COMPOSITIONS FOR CULTIVATING SPHAGNUM

Abstract

The invention provides a method for cultivating Sphagnum. The method comprises supplying the Sphagnum with a nutrient composition. The nutrient composition comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, and/or potassium.

Claims

1. A method for cultivating Sphagnum, the method comprising supplying the Sphagnum with a nutrient composition, the nutrient composition comprising one or more of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 223.61 mg of nitrogen per m.sup.2 per week.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising between 223.61 mg and 1280.25 mg of nitrogen per m.sup.2 per week.

4. (canceled)

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 400 mg of nitrogen per m.sup.2 per week.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 800 mg of nitrogen per m.sup.2 per week.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 131.93 mg of phosphorus per m.sup.2 per week.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising between 131.93 mg and 648.18 mg of phosphorus per m.sup.2 per week.

9. (canceled)

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 150 mg of phosphorus per m.sup.2 per week.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 225 mg of phosphorus per m.sup.2 per week.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 802.09 mg of potassium per m.sup.2 per week.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising between 802.09 mg and 1813.26 mg of potassium per m.sup.2 per week.

14. (canceled)

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 800 mg of potassium per m.sup.2 per week.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising at least 1000 mg of potassium per m.sup.2 per week.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied at an amount comprising: at least 223.61 mg of nitrogen per m.sup.2 per week; at least 131.93 mg of phosphorus per m.sup.2 per week; and at least 802.09 mg of potassium per m.sup.2 per week.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition further comprises calcium.

27. (canceled)

28. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition further comprises magnesium.

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition further comprises one or more of sodium, copper, zinc, sulfur, boron, iron, molybdenum, and chloride.

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

38. (canceled)

39. (canceled)

40. (canceled)

41. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

45. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient composition is supplied by irrigation.

46. (canceled)

47. (canceled)

48. (canceled)

49. (canceled)

50. The method according to claim 45, wherein the irrigation is spray irrigation or drip irrigation.

51. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out for at least 12 hours, 1 day, 1 week or 1 month.

52. (canceled)

53. (canceled)

54. (canceled)

55. (canceled)

56. (canceled)

57. (canceled)

58. (canceled)

59. (canceled)

60. (canceled)

61. (canceled)

62. (canceled)

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0393] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures and Examples.

[0394] FIG. 1 shows a range of different nutrient compositions and the various nutrients and compositions present in those compositions as applied during the method of the invention. All units are mg/L of composition used for irrigation.

[0395] FIG. 2 shows preferred nutrient ranges (mg/L) and application rates (mg/m.sup.2/day) for growing Sphagnum.

[0396] FIG. 3 shows growth of S. capillifolium in the presence of the nutrient compositions of FIG. 1.

[0397] FIG. 4 shows growth of S. squarrosum in the presence of the nutrient compositions of FIG. 1.

[0398] FIG. 5 shows growth of S. palustre in the presence of the nutrient compositions of FIG. 1.

[0399] FIG. 6 shows productivity (in m.sup.3 ha.sup.−1 a.sup.−1) of Sphagnum grown in a greenhouse with nutrients applied in accordance with the present invention across different species of Sphagnum.

[0400] FIG. 7 shows a table of measured strand lengths of Sphagnum after 6 months of growth.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0401] Materials & Methods

[0402] A trial commenced 2018 week 10 (6 Mar. 2018) using BeadaGel™ “Fast Start”, commercially available from BeadaMoss®, UK, at 3L/m.sup.2 which was spread on plug trays in a glasshouse at a minimum temperature of 5° C. and ventilated at 20° C. with overhead irrigation at 2.6 L of water per m.sup.2 whenever the surface of the Sphagnum appeared dry. Six plug trays were used per treatment regime; each tray containing a different Sphagnum species: S. capillifolium (SA), S. fallax (SF), S. magellanicum (SM), S. papillosum (SP), S. squarrosum (SQ) and S. palustre (SS). Growing media was horticultural peat, apart from one of the treatments using soil. A chemical analysis of each treatment (i.e. the amount of nutrient present in mg per L of composition applied) is given in FIG. 1. It is noted that the total nitrogen content (Total N) is shown which represents a total nitrogen contents of the Nitrite, Nitrate, and NH.sub.4 (ammonium) as shown, which can be calculated based on molecular weights. Similarly, sulfur (S) and sulfate (SO.sub.4) are both displayed, but as will be appreciated the sulfur represents the sulfur content of the sulfate content, rather than being present in addition to the sulfate value.

[0403] The treatment CON was rainwater with no added nutrients, and provides a comparison to the other nutrient treatments. The analysis in FIG. 1 shows that rainwater has low levels of nutrients, or even none in some cases.

[0404] Nutrient solutions were applied three times each week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Application was via a watering can from overhead of approximately 4 litres for each treatment group (i.e. 4 L per m.sup.2), 200 ml stock solution per 4 litres.

[0405] Trays were placed in the same species order in the experimental greenhouse. Sample positions within the greenhouse were changed to equalize light and watering over the period of the trial, keeping species within their nutrient-regime groups. After approximately six months, the full tray was photographed to assess plug success rate and estimate percentage cover. Three plugs from each tray were harvested in situ over a period of four weeks, and weighed over a period of seven days with a 4 d.p. balance to obtain fresh weight. Samples were placed in paper bags and dried in the same drying oven for a period of 20 hours at 80° C. Data for plug weight and percentage cover across the trays were combined to produce more representative growth data across the trial, and qualitative observations were noted. Data analysis was through Excel and SPSS. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 25. Treatment differences were investigated using Kruskal-Wallis tests.

[0406] Results

[0407] FIG. 2 shows the preferred ranges of nutrients (in mg per L) present in nutrient compositions for growth of Sphagnum (i.e. in which at least 3 species grew well). Based on these preferred nutrient ranges, preferred application amounts (e.g. /area/day, more specifically in mg per m.sup.2 per day) were calculated and presented in FIG. 2.

[0408] FIGS. 3-5 show growth in the presence of the various nutrient compositions. Surprisingly, Sphagnum responded well to growth under high nutrient concentrations contrary to conventional theory in the art. Treatment CON (control of rainwater) was the least successful across all species.

[0409] Growth was also tested in 2 further nutrient compositions, J and K. Nutrient concentrations in mg/L are shown below:

TABLE-US-00001 Nutrient Treatment Na Mg K Ca Mn Cu Zn Sulphate Nitrate J 2.51 0.33 82.47 1.21 0.21 0.11 0.37 46.43 175.42 K 53.47 16.10 151.10 19.24 1.02 0.15 0.49 98.97 263.77 Nutrient Treatment S B P Fe Mo Chloride Nitrite Ammonium J 16.76 0.14 54.02 0.31 0.01 13.48 0.31 0.00 K 35.70 0.34 26.63 1.71 0.09 97.64 0.00 11.13

[0410] At least 3 species grew well with in these nutrient compositions, hence, they were taken into account for forming the preferred nutrient ranges and application rates presented in FIG. 2, see Table below (mean dry weight is per plug in grams).

TABLE-US-00002 Mean Mean Mean S. Dry S. Dry S. Dry capillifolium Wt (g) palustre Wt (g) squarrosum Wt (g) J 0.51 J 1.04 J 1.76 K 0.79 K 0.63 K 1.28 Control 0.43 Control 0.46 Control 0.51 (rainwater) (rainwater) (rainwater)

Example 2

[0411] Materials & Methods

[0412] A trial was set up by applying BeadaGel™ “Fast Start” at 3L/m.sup.2 which was spread on plug trays in a glasshouse at a minimum temperature of 5° C. and ventilated at 20° C. with overhead irrigation at 2.6 L of water per m.sup.2 whenever the surface of the Sphagnum appeared dry. Sphagnum was cultivated in accordance with a method of the present invention. Six species were used: Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum squarrosum, and Sphagnum palustre. The Sphagnum was irrigated with a nutrient composition comprising Treatment A, with the nutrient components shown in FIG. 1. This gave a final nutrient content comprising: 2.92 mg/L of sodium, 13.17 mg/L of magnesium, 106.50 mg/L of potassium, 36.96 mg/L of calcium, 0.41 mg/L of manganese, 0.09 mg/L of copper, 0.55 mg/L of zinc, 4.30 mg/L of sulfur, 0.19 mg/L of boron, 24.57 mg/L of phosphorus, 0.98 mg/L of iron, 0.05 mg/L of molybdenum, 0.16 mg/L of chloride, 0.00 mg/L of nitrite, 10.36 mg/L of sulphate, 378.62 mg/L of nitrate, and 17.36 mg/L of ammonium, with a total nitrogen content of 98.99 mg/L. The Sphagnum was irrigated with 4 L of the nutrient composition per m.sup.2 three times per week, providing 12 L per m.sup.2 per week.

[0413] Growth was carried out for a period of 12 months before harvesting. Once harvested, volume was assessed by using the Growing Media industry standard method: BS EN 12579:2000

[0414] “Soil Improvers and Growing Media”.

[0415] Results

[0416] FIG. 6 shows Sphagnum grown in accordance with the present invention demonstrated productivity levels of at least 600 m.sup.3 ha.sup.−1 a.sup.−1, and consistent productivity across the different species. Sphagnum palustre and Sphagnum squarrosum achieved particularly good growth, providing productivities of around 1100 m.sup.3 ha.sup.−1 a.sup.−1. A dry weight bulk density was measured and provided a value of 9-14 kg m.sup.−3.

[0417] Consistent and high productivity across each trial demonstrates the success of Treatment A across the different species of Sphagnum.

Example 3

[0418] Materials & Methods

[0419] A trial was conducted using Sphagnum palustre applied to a peat substrate in a greenhouse under controlled environmental conditions. The temperature was maintained with a minimum of 14° C. for 3 months, followed by 20° C. for 3 months. Nutrient was applied as the only water supply (i.e. not subject to further irrigation of water without nutrient). The Sphagnum was irrigated with a nutrient composition comprising Treatment A, with the nutrient components shown in FIG. 1. This gave a final nutrient content comprising: 2.92 mg/L of sodium, 13.17 mg/L of magnesium, 106.50 mg/L of potassium, 36.96 mg/L of calcium, 0.41 mg/L of manganese, 0.09 mg/L of copper, 0.55 mg/L of zinc, 4.30 mg/L of sulfur, 0.19 mg/L of boron, 24.57 mg/L of phosphorus, 0.98 mg/L of iron, 0.05 mg/L of molybdenum, 0.16 mg/L of chloride, 0.00 mg/L of nitrite, 10.36 mg/L of sulphate, 378.62 mg/L of nitrate, and 17.36 mg/L of ammonium, with a total nitrogen content of 98.99 mg/L. The Sphagnum was irrigated with 3.75 L of the nutrient composition per m.sup.2 three times per week, providing 11.25 L per m.sup.2 per week. This gave a nutrient application rate comprising: 32.86 mg/m.sup.2/week of sodium, 148.16 mg/m.sup.2/week of magnesium, 1198.13 mg/m.sup.2/week of potassium, 415.80 mg/m.sup.2/week of calcium, 4.60 mg/m.sup.2/week of manganese, 0.97 mg/m.sup.2/week of copper, 6.20 mg/m.sup.2/week of zinc, 48.42 mg/m.sup.2/week of sulfur, 2.18 mg/m.sup.2/week of boron, 276.41 mg/m.sup.2/week of phosphorus, 11.02 mg/m.sup.2/week of iron, 0.60 mg/m.sup.2/week of molybdenum, 1.80 mg/m2/week of chloride, 0.00 mg/m.sup.2/week of nitrite, 116.51 mg/m.sup.2/week of sulphate, 4259.51 mg/m.sup.2/week of nitrate, and 195.26 mg/m.sup.2/week of ammonium, with a total nitrogen content of 1113.69 mg/m.sup.2/week. The Sphagnum was harvested after 6 months. Ten strands were removed for measurement in each sample, and three replicate samples were taken.

[0420] Results

[0421] FIG. 7 shows a table of measured strand lengths in cm. The average across each replicate shows that the average strand length after 6 months growth is 25.8 cm.

[0422] All publications mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. Various modifications and variations of the described methods and system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in agriculture, horticulture, and plant technology or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.