Sphagnum moss as a novel growth medium in sustainable indoor agriculture systems
Michelle McKeon‐Bennett, Trevor R. Hodkinson
Abstract
In response to the impacts of climate change and global population growth on traditional food production activities, agricultural industries and government agencies are now investing significant time and funding into researching alternative novel, sustainable and carbon-friendly processes by which global food demand can be met. Application of disruptive, high-yield low-cost technologies such as indoor agriculture shifts the focus of food production away from traditional intensification of land use and pesticide-based crop yield promotion, which is attributed to destruction of surrounding habitats. Organic based growth media developed for use in indoor agricultural are now a key priority to replace single-use materials such as extruded plastics and rockwool. Sphagnum moss, an aquatic plant found in peatlands, is introduced here as such an alternative.