Those who are involved in gardening, horticulture and floriculture are sure to know that peat is a necessary and useful component that provides plants with nutrients. But not everyone knows how it works and how peat is formed. This component is different, depending on the classification, its useful properties and scope of application change.
What is peat
Peat is rotted compressed remains of flora and fauna.The formation of the component under natural conditions is carried out in swampy areas, under conditions of high humidity and lack of oxygen.
How is it formed
Plants and organisms that live in swampy areas, in reservoirs with a high degree of vegetation, in lakes with stagnant water, gradually die. As a result of death, the formation of biological mass is observed, which becomes larger every year due to the formation of new layers. This is how pressing occurs.
Areas of application
As mentioned earlier, people most often use peat in gardening, horticulture and floriculture. But it is worth remembering that it is extremely undesirable to cultivate the area and feed the plants only with this component. In this situation, you can achieve not so much benefit as harm the plants.
Peat contains a sufficient amount of nitrogen, so it is difficult for crops to absorb such an additive in large quantities. It is recommended to use not only peat, but also other organic and mineral additives on the site. Therefore, nutritional mixtures are made from it. It is recommended to use no more than 2 kg of nitrogen per ton of soil.
As a result of reasonable use, the earth allows more liquid and oxygen to pass through, and the root system of plants develops quickly and efficiently. In this situation, it is recommended to use lowland and intermediate types. As for the mounted type, it must be used to cover crops for the winter.
It is also worth noting: peat is used in industry and agriculture as a combustible material. This is due to its composition, as well as its high carbon content (approximately 57%).
Basic properties
The main properties include:
- carbon accumulation;
- improving soil moisture permeability and air permeability;
- increasing soil porosity;
- improvement of plant growth and development thanks to humic and amino acids.
Advantages and disadvantages
The table will present data on the positive qualities and disadvantages of the component. After reviewing the information presented, we can conclude that it is necessary to use the component in agriculture.
| Positive traits | Flaws |
| · saturates the soil;
· gives lightness to the soil; · increases the degree of moisture penetration; · antiseptic; · supports microflora; · increases acidity; · increases the efficiency of fertilizers. |
· cannot be used as a single component;
· ineffective use of high-moor peat; · not applicable on all types of soil. |
Classification of peat types and their characteristics
In nature, peat is divided into several types: according to the degree of humification, according to the nature of its occurrence, according to the method of extraction, as well as according to ash content. Each has its own properties and characteristics.
According to the degree of humification
Based on the degree of humification, they are classified into weakly, moderately, and highly decomposed.
By nature of occurrence
According to the nature of occurrence, it can be superficial, lowland, or transitional.
By extraction method
There are two extraction schemes: from a thin layer of the earth’s surface and from deep quarries, to the entire depth of the formation.
According to ash content
According to ash content indicators, normal and high ash are distinguished.
Education mechanism
The formation process is associated with the decomposition of biological material. Under natural conditions, this most often occurs in sphagnum bogs. Therefore, a higher percentage of peat contains sphagnum.
Peat is known to everyone and everywhere for its beneficial properties, but in order to achieve more benefits from its use, it is necessary to clearly understand how formation occurs, who takes part in this process and what it should be used with correctly.
