In the GesaSpAn project, researchers from mera Rabeler GmbH & Co. KG continued to work on an optimised production and harvesting process for peat moss in extensive field tests. They trialled a remote-controlled lightweight caterpillar with various units for maintaining, harvesting, clearing and spreading Sphagnum plant material.
The researchers have already produced promising results for cultivation and harvesting. The development of a second, more powerful vehicle is planned for replanting and clearing crops.
The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) via the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR). The final report is available at fnr.de under the funding code 2220MT002X.
Peat mosses (Sphagnum) are promising peat substitutes. However, the previously used harvesting method with an excavator operating from moving dams is not efficient, as they take up a lot of space and the harvesting and clearing speed is low. The challenge was to discover a harvesting machine that can drive directly on the cultivated area. Sphagnum only grows at water levels close to the surface and is very sensitive to pressure. This challenge was overcome in a previous project with the development of a remote-controlled lightweight caterpillar that moves on very wide crawler tracks. In the current project, the aim was to develop an overall process for sphagnum farming.
Various field trials on practical peat moss cultivation have shown that the water level should be lowered during harvesting to avoid clogging of the harvesting equipment and to reduce the weight of the collected peat moss. It was also found that it is better to harvest the plants by tearing them off rather than cutting them off: Sphagnum does not root in the soil like conventional plants, but forms loose, intertwined plant carpets. Individual plants can be torn out of these without much effort. The best results were achieved with a slowly rotating shaft with stars arranged in blocks (Image 2).
Technology is also required for the initial establishment of completely new peat moss areas, i.e. a device for spreading planting material. The project team also developed this (Image 3). The researchers preferred a second, more heavily motorised carrier vehicle for the young plant application technology, which could also be designed as an accompanying vehicle for crop dewatering and clearing. Further developments are still needed.
Background:
Against the backdrop of the political decision to phase out peat, the horticultural and substrate industry is showing great interest in peat moss as a peat substitute. According to calculations, a net area of approx. 35,000 hectares would be required to replace the annual demand for white peat in Germany. A major obstacle to peat moss production on such a scale is the lack of harvesting technology. The research demonstrates innovative and practical solutions for overcoming this hurdle.
Contact:
Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
Simon Busse
Tel.: +49 3843 6930-378
E-Mail: s.busse(at)fnr.de
Press Contact:
Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
Nicole Paul
Tel.: +49 3843 6930-142
Mail: n.paul(at)fnr.de
