Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

PROBLEM: Van Luyk Greenhouses and Garden Centre, uses soilless growing media for growing andx000D
maintaining plants in containers. When plants are transplanted or harvested, the spent growing media arex000D
directed to landfills. Around 24% of the spent soilless mix which amounts to 1/4 truckload is directed tox000D
landfills. In the company's greenhouse plant production activity, 3.5% of the cost of materials is spent onx000D
purchasing soilless mix which amounts to about $ 20,000/year. As a consequence, only 75% of the soillessx000D
substrate is sold with container plants to customers. Thus, the Company's motivation is to prevent this wastex000D
and be able to recycle and reuse the spent substrate. This approach is economically sound by reducing costs ofx000D
materials and of disposing it. Greenhouse industry in general could economically benefit by recycling spentx000D
soilless mix which protects our environment.x000D
OBJECTIVE: The proposed collaboration with McGill arises from the need of the industrial partner, to testx000D
crop response to the cultivation in spent soilless potting substrate, and to characterize and re-optimize itsx000D
physical and nutrient properties so the spent potting mix will perform equally well as the original virgin pottingx000D
mix.x000D
BENEFITS: Improvement of nutrient efficiency, physical and biological stability of spent soilless mix inx000D
horticulture is a research priority for sustainable production and environmental reasons. Knowledge acquiredx000D
through this study about physical, chemical and microbial properties of the soilless mix before and afterx000D
planting cycle will help the company make decisions and implement soilless media recycling proceduresx000D
including recycling conditions, ratio of virgin to recycled media ratio, fertigation and disease managementx000D
strategies.