How to make substrates’ R&D greater? The results of the 2017 ISHS Working Group Growing Media survey

Cooperation between the Commission Plant Substrates and Soilless Culture of ISHS and the Peatlands and Economy (including horticulture) Commission of IPS has existed for over 30 years, and was formally recognised in an Agreement, initially signed at an ISHS symposium in Angers in 2005 and continued thereafter. Formal and informal contact between members of both societies has proved fruitful in terms of research, technical issues and indeed commercial developments, particularly in growing media. Links have also involved reciprocal visits of staff between laboratories and university/research institutes worldwide, and participation in international initiatives including the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Peat and Growing Media Association (EPAGMA). As Commission Chair and President of IPS respectively, we were delighted to support the proposal of Professor Jean-Charles Michel, from Agrocampus Ouest at Angers, France, and Chair of ISHS Working Group Growing Media, to develop a cross-society participative consultation via a questionnaire, with the aim of improving and developing contacts, as well as priming initiatives between members of both societies