The problem
In substrate-grown crops, the root zone dries back
between irrigation events. Growers manage this
with irrigation frequency, substrate choice and
additives, each with a cost in water, nutrients,
labour or consistency. Existing water-management
polymers were not designed for these systems and
many persist in the substrate after use.
between irrigation events. Growers manage this
with irrigation frequency, substrate choice and
additives, each with a cost in water, nutrients,
labour or consistency. Existing water-management
polymers were not designed for these systems and
many persist in the substrate after use.
OUR APPROACH
We are developing polyaminoacid products that hold water in the root zone and release it as the substrate dries.
Candidates are designed against the grower's requirements — moisture between irrigation events, compatibility with fertigation, no change to the production protocol — and tested against current practice, not against untreated controls alone.
Candidates are designed against the grower's requirements — moisture between irrigation events, compatibility with fertigation, no change to the production protocol — and tested against current practice, not against untreated controls alone.
WHERE IT APPLIES
Protected horticulture (glasshouse and
polytunnel crops)
Growing substrates and potting media (coir, peat-reduced mixes)
Soft fruit and other high-value substrate crops
Fertigation systems where moisture and
nutrient stability interact
polytunnel crops)
Growing substrates and potting media (coir, peat-reduced mixes)
Soft fruit and other high-value substrate crops
Fertigation systems where moisture and
nutrient stability interact
WHAT WE MEASURE
Moisture availability between irrigation events
Water-use efficiency under variable conditions
Crop establishment and consistency
across the cycle
Compatibility with substrates,
fertigation and the existing protocol
Water-use efficiency under variable conditions
Crop establishment and consistency
across the cycle
Compatibility with substrates,
fertigation and the existing protocol
Development programme
Performance products, developed
with the experts who will test them.
Planet Smart's agriculture products are being developed in a structured programme with independent horticultural expertise. The programme establishes how candidate products perform against current grower practice — under defined substrate, irrigation and crop conditions — so that what reaches a grower has been proven in the system it will be used in.
Partner with us
Bring us your unmet application need.
We develop products with a unique fit to our partners' applications — performance the current material can't deliver, biodegradable by design.
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