HSWT joint project HOT2 receives BMLEH funding
The funded joint project HOT2 deals with the replacement of peat products in horticulture with peat-reduced and peat-free substrates based on renewable resources.
On 8 December, Alois Rainer, Federal Minister of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, presented the funding decision to the project partners of the project „Horticulture with peat-reduced and peat-free substrates based on Renewable Resources - Part 2“ (HOT2), including Prof. Dr Klaus Menrad and Dr Dieter Lohr, at the HSWT site in Straubing. The joint project of the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), the Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences (HfWU) and the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences will be implemented from 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2027 and will receive funding of around 750,000 euros from the Federal Ministry of of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH).
Climate protection in horticulture
Peat-based substrates are still frequently used in horticulture. Draining peatlands for peat extraction releases carbon in the form of climate-damagingCO2. The use of peat-reduced and peat-free substrates reduces peat extraction and protects peatlands and their function as carbon reservoirs. Peat-free substrates pose various individual challenges for hobby gardeners.
In the completed project „Horticulture with peat-reduced and peat-free substrates based on Renewable Resources“ (HOT), HSWT focussed on the following aspects:
Together with the joint partners from the HfWU and the market research company Green Survey, the Chair of Marketing and Management and the Institute of Horticulture (IGB) investigated how hobby gardeners buy and handle potting soils in interview studies, choice experiments and real-life laboratories. In addition, show plantings were used to illustrate what hobby gardeners need to change when caring for their plants and what pitfalls lurk on the way from peat-based to peat-free substrates. Based on the knowledge gained, two online platforms were developed and a series of training events were organised.
Focus on multipliers
HOT2 aims to develop targeted formats for multipliers, which in turn sensitise various target groups to peat-free gardening and support them in the use of peat-free substrates The HSWT is researching the everyday actions of hobby gardeners, the effect of various information and communication formats and imparting practical knowledge for hobby gardeners on the successful use of peat-free potting soils.
