PEATLESS project presented to students during Fascination of Plants Day at CITA
Understanding where plants grow and why growing media matter is essential for building a more sustainable horticultural sector. As part of its commitment to knowledge exchange and public engagement, the PEATLESS project was presented to high school students during the Fascination of Plants Day 2026, an international initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of plant science and sustainable agriculture.
Held on 28 April 2026 at the Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), the event brought together students, teachers and researchers to explore the role of innovation in horticulture and the search for sustainable alternatives to peat-based growing media.
Bringing sustainable horticulture closer to young people
The Fascination of Plants Day, promoted by the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) and celebrated in more than 60 countries, offers a unique opportunity to connect science with society and inspire future generations.
A total of 68 participants attended the activities organised at CITA, including students and teachers from Movera High School and Río Gállego High School, as well as laboratory technicians and predoctoral researchers.
As part of the programme, researchers working on the Spanish seedling sector introduced the PEATLESS project, explaining why reducing peat use has become an important challenge for the horticultural industry.
Peat extraction has significant environmental impacts, particularly on carbon-rich peatland ecosystems. For this reason, the project is exploring alternative, locally available growing media that can support plant production while reducing dependence on peat.
“Developing sustainable growing media means finding solutions that work for both plants and the environment.”
Participants explored different raw materials and peat-free substrate blends through a hands-on identification activity
Learning through hands-on activities
To help students better understand the concept of growing media, researchers presented several locally sourced raw materials alongside different peat-free substrate blends developed within the project.
Participants were invited to take part in an interactive activity where they observed and touched the materials and attempted to identify the different components used in each blend.
Interestingly, the materials present in smaller proportions were generally easier to recognise, while the main components were often mistaken for peat due to their similar appearance.
This observation highlighted an important aspect of substrate development: visual similarity to peat may help facilitate the acceptance of alternative growing media among users and growers.
Exploring the science behind growing media
The activities also introduced students to some of the key physicochemical properties that influence plant growth and substrate performance.
Through practical demonstrations, participants explored:
- Water retention, by comparing how different materials absorb and release water.
- Aeration capacity, observed through the bubbles generated when water was added to the materials.
- pH differences, measured using pH indicator strips.
These experiments helped demonstrate that growing media are carefully designed systems whose properties directly influence root development, water availability and plant health.
By comparing different materials, students gained a better understanding of why selecting the right substrate is critical for successful horticultural production.
Building awareness for a more sustainable future
The event concluded with a discussion about the importance of developing growing media that not only provide the necessary physicochemical and microbiological properties for plant growth, but also contribute to broader sustainability goals.
Researchers encouraged students to reflect on how innovative substrate solutions can help reduce peat use while promoting the use of locally available materials without compromising crop performance.
Through activities such as Fascination of Plants Day, the PEATLESS project helps raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable horticulture, while showcasing the potential of peat-free growing media for the future of plant production.
More than “just soil”
One of the key messages shared during the event was simple but powerful:
Substrates are much more than “simply soil”.
They are carefully engineered growing environments that play a fundamental role in plant development, resource efficiency and the transition towards more sustainable horticultural systems.
By engaging students, educators and the wider community, PEATLESS continues to promote knowledge, innovation and awareness around sustainable alternatives to peat and the future of horticulture in Europe.
