INDUSTRY NEWS GREEN TODAY, hroughout this


year, Southern Trident has been involved in a series of trials


the Technology


out by Stockbridge Centre,


carried UK’s


premier independent horticultural growing and testing facility. The trials vigorously tested Coco & Coir Coco Grow+, a seed and cuttings compost containing coir and perlite, and Coco & Coir Coco Boost, an all-purpose


compost containing


coir and balanced nutrients. These composts were up against stiff competition, the UK’s best-selling peat-based compost, an own-label peat-free compost and the


selling branded peat-free compost. The trials were carried out from April to June.


Coco & Coir Coco Grow+ In germination tests using petunias, Coco & Coir Coco Grow+ produced 15 per cent better germination rates than the peat-based compost and three times better than the branded peat-free competition. Germination failed with the own-label peat-free compost. Poor germination in the competing composts was due to high pH and high electrical conductivity (EC) levels; EC is an indicator of soluble salt content, and high levels can be very damaging to seeds and plants.


We monitor and control salt levels in our coir composts and ensure they are maintained at a suitable quantity for excellent plant growth.


Coco & Coir Coco Boost In growing tests using tomato plants, Coco & Coir Coco Boost performed as well as the peat- based compost, produced plants 36 per cent larger than the top-selling branded peat-free compost, and 13 per cent larger than the own-label peat-free compost.


In tests using petunias, Coco & Coir Coco Boost again performed on par to the peat-based compost,


but 30 per cent larger with 144 per cent more flowers than the branded peat-free, and 270 per cent larger with eight times as many flowers as the own-label peat-free compost. Again, high pH and EC levels


affected the own-label peat-free compost


when growing these


sensitive plants, and there were lower overall nutrient levels in the branded products


These trials consistently showed that growing media based on 100 per cent coir outperforms all peat-free blends it has been tested against.


DK TOOLS NOW ISO 14001 ACCREDITED


DK Tools Ltd has recently introduced an Environmental Management System (EMS) to ensure it meets its environmental commitments. Recent initiatives include eliminating all plastics


An EMS improves environmental performance through a wide range of measures such as minimising waste, reducing pollution, and ensuring employees get the right information and training. It even extends to suppliers and contractors, so DK Tools now ensures all of its waste is handled by responsible third parties who also meet strict environmental standards. This dedication to the environment has been


recognised by the company recently achieving BS EN ISO 14001:2015 certification from TUV UK, the international standard to assess the status of an organisation’s environmental management system against defined requirements.


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from 50 per cent of the company’s outbound consignments, and implementing motion sensor lighting on its premises, reducing on-site electricity consumption by 25 per cent year-on-year. From the point of view of DK Tools’ customers, working with an environmentally responsible supplier is also good for them. The public is much more aware of environmental issues and increasingly expects the products and services it buys to be responsibly sourced. The company’s customers can therefore be comfortable in the knowledge that they are buying from a responsible supplier.


AWARDS 2021


Southern Trident is celebrating yet another success for its quality coir composts. Two of the company’s Coco & Coir products have outshone the competition in plant growth trials.


Result of peat-free branded Vs Coco Boost


GREENER TOMORROW T


top- DIY commended WEEK highly


Advantages of coir Coir, like peat, can hold up to 20 times its own weight in moisture. Unlike other peat-free alternatives, coir has a pH range of 5.8-6.8, which is close to what the vast majority of plants need. It contains high levels of lignin and cellulose, so doesn’t decompose, slump and compact in containers like some other alternative materials.


Result of own label peat-free Vs branded peat-free Vs Coco Boost


The future Growing trials at the Stockbridge Technology


Centre its are ongoing.


Southern Trident has invested in its own growing facilities at its site in Scunthorpe to be able to more readily improve


mixes


further before independent trialling. Southern Trident is testing new


products, new innovations and new materials that can be added to its coir composts to improve their already proven results even further. News of new products will be revealed later in the year.


Further information For more details on the range of products, visit www.southerntrident. com/product-range View a short video on the range here: youtu.be/W_ pGSgrrVv4. To book an appointment with your local sales representative, visit southerntrident.com/sales-agents


even


Inside the Amtech


warehouse


• For more information, visit www.dktools.com or call 01895 435556


JULY 2021 DIY WEEK 15


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