Recent trials at Forteco Innovation Centre ‘de Kas’ have confirmed that coco substrate fosters superior soil life, enhancing plant growth. The trials demonstrate that coco substrate not only supports existing soil life but also promotes its rapid development throughout the cultivation process.
Latest Trial Overview
The latest experiment at ‘de Kas’ involved growing Alzamora RZ variety sweet peppers on both Forteco Profit coco substrate and stone wool substrate. The trial assessed plant health, yield, and irrigation practices. Seeds were sown in early November 2023 and transplanted in January 2024. Each square meter hosted an average of 6.72 stems. To simulate real-world conditions, both substrate types received standard mineral nutrients. Experienced growers provided insights on pepper cultivation in stone wool, while extensive knowledge on coco substrate cultivation guided the process.
Observations and Results
Both substrates produced healthy plants, but notable differences were observed in root quality. Plants grown on Forteco Profit coco substrate displayed visibly healthier roots, especially evident during the first harvest peak in April. Roots in stone wool showed signs of deterioration, indicating reduced resistance and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.
In the initial phase, both substrates yielded similar quantities of peppers, with coco substrate showing a slight edge. However, as the trial progressed, plants in coco substrate outperformed those in stone wool. The average fruit weight for plants on coco substrate was around 200 grams. Recently, the harvest from coco substrate plants has significantly surpassed that of stone wool plants. Although plants in stone wool initially grew taller, their growth has stalled, resulting in similar heights for plants on both substrates.
Stone wool, an inert substrate, often leads to problems that can cause crop failure, a challenge not yet encountered with coco substrate. The trial has seen no plant mortality on either substrate, but plants in stone wool have exhibited light yellowing, suggesting potential nutrient absorption issues.
Importance of Soil Life
Soil life plays a crucial role in plant resilience and resistance to diseases and pests. Eurofins Agro has been monitoring soil life quality throughout the trial using their Soil Life Monitor. This tool accurately measures the number of microorganisms in the soil, revealing that coco substrate supports a richer and more diverse microbial community compared to stone wool. The results highlight the superior soil life in coco substrate, which contributes to better plant health and growth.
Over the past two years, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis has been employed to classify microorganisms in the substrate, showcasing the diversity of fungi and bacteria present.
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