Abstract: A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

Abstract: A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product, the method comprising: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition free of phenol and formaldehyde; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; irrigating the growth substrate product; wherein the aqueous binder composition prior to curing comprises; a component (i) in form of one or more lignosulfonate lignins having a carboxylic acid group content of 0.03 to 1.4 mmol/g, based on the dry weight of the lignosulfonate lignins, a component (ii) in form of one or more cross-linkers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coherent propagation growth substrate product (1) formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), the product (1) having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and at least one cavity (2) which is open at the top surface and which extends from the top surface towards the bottom surface, wherein a superabsorbent polymer (3) is provided in the cavity (2).

Abstract: A man-made vitreous fibre (MMVF) plant growth substrate is provided. The substrate has properties including a volume of 3 to 20 litres, two layers of differing density, and the use of an organic binder selected from formaldehyde free binders. This is found to provide a substrate which allows excellent control of the water and/or nutrient contents within the substrate when used for plant growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coherent propagation growth substrate product (1) formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), the product (1) having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and at least one cavity (2) which is open at the top surface and which extends from the top surface towards the bottom surface, wherein a superabsorbent polymer (3) is provided in the cavity (2).

Abstract: A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

Abstract: A coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent is described, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components: a component (i) in the form of one or more compounds selected from compounds of the formula (I), and any salts thereof: in which R1 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; compounds of the formula (II), and any salts thereof: in which R2 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; a component (ii) in the form of one or more compounds selected from the group of ammonia, amines or any salts thereof; a component (iii) in the form of one or more carbohydrates. Use of said coherent growth substrate product for growing plants and propagating seeds is also disclosed. In addition, a process for making said coherent growth substrate product is disclosed.

Abstract: A plant growth system is provided, which includes: one or more plant growth substrates comprising an MMVF slab and a single MMVF block; one or more detectors arranged to monitor at least one of the water and nutrient levels of at least one of the plant growth substrates; at least one irrigation device arranged to supply water and nutrients to the plant growth substrates; and control mechanism connected to said detectors and said at least one irrigation device. The supply of water and nutrients by the at least one irrigation device is controlled by the control mechanism in dependence on the monitored water and/or nutrient levels. In this manner, the water and nutrient levels of the substrates can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: A coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent is described, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components:—a component (i) in form of one or more carbohydrates;—a component (ii) in form of one or more compounds selected from sulfamic acid, derivatives of sulfamic acid or any salt thereof. Use of said coherent growth substrate product for growing plants and propagating seeds is also disclosed. In addition, a process for making said coherent growth substrate product is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coherent propagation growth substrate product (1) formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), the product (1) having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and at least one cavity (2) which is open at the top surface and which extends from the top surface towards the bottom surface, wherein a superabsorbent polymer (3) is provided in the cavity (2).

Abstract: A plant growth system is provided in which an irrigation device provides water and/or nutrients to a plant growth substrate. The plant growth substrate comprises an MMVF slab and a single MMVF block on a first surface of the MMVF slab. The MMVF slab comprises a drain hole which is disposed at one end of the surface, and the irrigation device provides water and/or nutrients to the substrate at a position more than 50% of the length of the slab away from the drain hole. This improves the control of water an nutrients in the slab as a whole.

Abstract: A plant growth system is provided, which comprises: one or more plant growth substrates comprising an MMVF slab and a single MMVF block; one or more detectors arranged to monitor at least one of the water and nutrient levels of at least one of the plant growth substrates; at least one irrigation device arranged to supply water and nutrients to the plant growth substrates; and control means connected to said detectors and said at least one irrigation device. The supply of water and nutrients by the at least one irrigation device is controlled by the control means in dependence on the monitored water and/or nutrient levels. In this manner, the water and nutrient levels of the substrates can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: A man-made vitreous fibre (MMVF) plant growth substrate is provided. The substrate has properties including a volume of 3 to 20 litres, two layers of differing density, and the use of a hydrophilic binding system. This is found to provide a substrate which allows excellent control of the water and/or nutrient contents within the substrate when used for plant growth.

Abstract: A man-made vitreous fibre (MMVF) plant growth substrate is provided. The substrate has properties including a volume of 3 to 20 litres, two layers of differing density, and the use of an organic binder selected from formaldehyde free binders. This is found to provide a substrate which allows excellent control of the water and/or nutrient contents within the substrate when used for plant growth.

Abstract: A plant growth system is provided in which an irrigation device provides water and/or nutrients to a plant growth substrate. The plant growth substrate comprises an MMVF slab and a single MMVF block on a first surface of the MMVF slab. The MMVF slab comprises a drain hole which is disposed at one end of the surface, and the irrigation device provides water and/or nutrients to the substrate at a position more than 50% of the length of the slab away from the drain hole. This improves the control of water an nutrients in the slab as a whole.

Abstract: A man-made vitreous fibre (MMVF) plant growth substrate is provided. The substrate has properties including a volume of 3 to 20 litres, two layers of differing density. The height of the two layers lie in the ranges of 25 mm to 50 mm and 50 mm to 100 mm This is found to provide a substrate which allows excellent control of the water and/or nutrient contents within the substrate when used for plant growth.

Abstract: The invention provides a multiple density growth substrate product (1) formed of a coherent matrix of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with binder, having an upper surface (2) provided with a recess (3) adapted to receive a seed or seedling and an opposite lower surface (4) on which the product rests when in use, the product being formed of at least two layers including an upper layer (5) positioned at the upper surface and having a first density and a lower layer (6) positioned at the opposite lower surface and having a second density, wherein the first density is less than the second density by at least 5 kg/m3 and wherein the loss on ignition (LOI) in the upper layer is at least 3.5 wt %.