Projects
SIA Pindstrup Latvia engages in the study "Wood fibers to improve the properties of peat substrates and reduce the ecological footprint":
Project No. 5.1.1.2.i.0/122/A/CFLA/007 (P20)
Project implementation period: 01.05.2024 – 30.04.2026
Title of the study: "Wood fibers to improve the properties of peat substrates and reduce the ecological footprint"
The study is being implemented with: SIA "Meža nozares kompetences centrs" within the framework of the project.
Objective: To develop recommendations and scientific justifications for the production and application of peat substrate with wood fibres and liming material with additives promoting the growth and resilience of trees in forest nurseries and for the recultivation of degraded areas.
February 2025
Results achieved in the 1st period (01.05.2024-31.10.2024)
- A review of wood fiber and wood ash as substitutes for peat and mineral fertilizers and substrate recipes has been prepared.
- Prepared experimental batch of substrate recipes.
September 2025
Results achieved in the 2nd period (01.11.2024-30.04.2025)
- Trials have been established in four types of substrates for growing pine/spruce container seedlings and broadleaved cuttings
- Monitoring of tree growth and survival as well as substrate properties
- Studies on the efficiency of substrates and substrates with wood ash additives for growing bare-root seedlings
- Field trials established in the MPS tree nursery experimental area
- Trials established with the produced seedlings in a reclamation site – gravel pit reclamation in the MPS-managed scientific research forests.
Results achieved in the 3rd period (01.05.2025-30.10.2025)
- Second-season trials have been established in four types of substrates for growing pine/spruce container seedlings and broadleaved cuttings
- Monitoring of tree growth and survival as well as substrate properties
- Measurements carried out in the field trial area and a results overview prepared
- Assessment of survival results
- An experimental batch of wood fiber “wool” prepared
- The previously prepared wood fiber “wool” mixed with peat and additives.
March 2026
Results achieved in the period 01.11.2025–31.01.2026
- Containers containing woodfibre admixture, particularly in the hottest areas of the growing space, are more prone to drying out than the 0% substrate under identical irrigation conditions.
- With a higher proportion of woodfibre, moisture decreases more markedly at the outer edges of the containers, especially during the autumn period. In the second year of the experiment, the 0% substrate consistently maintained the highest soil moisture throughout the entire period. Substrates containing 30% and 50% woodfibre showed lower moisture levels, particularly in the second half of August; this effect may be further enhanced by plant transpiration.
- Under identical drip irrigation conditions, increases (“spikes”) in moisture were less pronounced in the substrate containing 50% woodfibre compared to the other substrates, which may indicate differences in water uptake and/or retention dynamics.
- As a result of additional fertilization, increased growth of Marchantia was observed on the seedling trays. At the same time, the growth of conifer seedlings was consistently good across all substrates in both the first and the second year of the experiment.
