One of the main technologies developed in agriculture are the mineral substrates of volcanic origin, this technology has already been developed since 1997 in Italy, thanks to technicians present in our society, which make it unique, as the use of minerals is completely natural, to zero residue, sustainable and above all the minerals used are obviously perennials, so they do not require a continuous annual or biennial turnover as instead requires the use of organic substrates such as peat, compost, perlite, rock wool, coconut fiber etc ….
These substrates have the great merit of favouring rhizogenesis, that is, the whole life process of a plant’s root system, since volcanic minerals, are elements with a vesicular structure (imparting a sponge-like appearance), which means not only higher water retention but also better drainage of excess irrigation water. The latter creates problems of stagnation in substrates of completely organic origin, which in turn leads to root asphyxia and the onset of diseases of varying severity.
By virtue of these two fundamental qualities, a plant will suffer from water stress later under drought conditions, thanks to the vesicular structure of the minerals (osmotic process) and under the opposite conditions stagnation is eliminated thanks to the stability of the completely mineral granulometric structure.
These mineral substrates allow out-of-soil cultivation in greenhouses and open fields of any cultivation, obviously they are produced according to the characteristics of the environment in which they are used, moreover they can be used in cultivation fields to definitively improve the chemical-physical structure and agronomic of the same, always in a natural way, by virtue of their characteristics these substrates can be applied at every stage, from sowing to rooting, and continue as a growing substrate for all plants species in containers or soilless culture. They have revealed to be exceptional for seeding turf of any kind and for any type of use, in sound-absorbing barriers, green roofs and roof gardens and for the planting of large and small trees.
Given their physicochemical characteristics, they can also be used to improve soil structure and in the recovery of existing trees, to form drainage layers and remedy water stagnation in level ground, fill in hollows and cracks that form in the ground and, finally, for vegetation grown in extreme conditions (vegetation with minimal soil depth and no artificial irrigation), our technology and knowledge put us in the condition to find all solution for all type of soil, desert areas include, if we find in the country some minerals of our interest.
The mineral substrates, the real technological revolution, with the use of minerals available in the country, with the use of local resources and manpower, the technology is already being tested by 20 years of outstanding achievements in Italy, we were the first to go with these technical concepts using simple materials that are available but a bit ‘everywhere and they all do not consider it for what it’s worth, of course taken alone cannot constitute a growing medium, but processed and blended in a scientific way you will get the excellent productions with saving water, nutrients and fungal diseases.
This technology is not costly for the farmer, indeed the use of these substrates together with a good cultivation technique will put them in condition to produce better, with better quality, reduction of disease, and consequently the reduction of production costs with excellent results.
This mineral substrates can then also be used in fruit growing, grape growing, ornamental greenery, the landscaping, the construction of buildings with rooftop gardens, to mitigate the climate inside the home to reduce heating in winter and the air conditioning in summer, to reduce air pollution, to better hold water and use it as a backup irrigation.
For growers is a very new way of agriculture, especially in countries where the weather conditions are not very favorable for cultivation and for large-scale agriculture (like Middle East and Africa for example), it mean to become independent, naturally and capable to produce and sell also outside their countries and become competitive with the quality and the own profits, it also mean making one’s country independent of agriculture production