For Peat's Sake!

In the UK alone some 100 thousand cubic metres of peat is used each year in commercial mushroom growing. Now the rapid depletion of the world?s peat resources, home to a number of rare plant and animal species, could be significantly reduced thanks to a new substitute product developed by scientists at the University of Warwick's Horticulture Research International (HRI).

The substitute material, commonly referred to as coal tailings, is a waste product from the mining industry. Typically it can be used to replace up to 30% of the dark peat used in mushroom growing and continuing trials show that it produces good yields of high quality mushrooms.

Worldwide we consume in excess of 7 million tonnes of mushrooms a year; Warwick's research means we can now continue to enjoy our mushrooms at considerably less threat to our environment.