{"id":5748,"date":"2022-09-24T08:22:19","date_gmt":"2022-09-24T05:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humico.lv\/creating-an-innovation-for-more-effective-farming\/"},"modified":"2022-09-27T11:36:46","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T08:36:46","slug":"creating-an-innovation-for-more-effective-farming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humico.lv\/en\/creating-an-innovation-for-more-effective-farming\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating an innovation for more effective farming"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Krist\u012bne Irti\u0161eva, post-graduate student at Riga Technical University (RTU) Faculty of Materials Engineering and Applied Chemistry, develops an innovative soil enrichment technology using the treasure from Latvian bogs – peat.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLatvia has plenty of peat resources, but they could be used more effectively by creating products with high added value,\u201d believes K. Irti\u0161eva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having previously researched uses of sapropel and biocoal, she is now working on ways to use the valuable substances contained in peat in soil enrichment. Through cavitation and extraction methods, a concentrated humus solution is obtained from peat. When diluted to certain concentrations, it is suitable for use with farming sprinkler systems,\u201d Irti\u0161eva explains. Meanwhile, residual substances can be used to make granules that can also be used for soil improvement. Unlike traditionally used fertilizers such as potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, humus solution can be used regardless of season,\u201d she continues. Usage is also very broad – it can be used for watering houseplants and greenhouse tomatoes, as well as for soil improvement in large farming areas. \u201cHumus is a biostimulator. It creates a beneficial environment, improving soil fertility, nutrient circulation, soil chemical and physical properties – it reduces soil acidity, prevents it from drying out quickly and increases organic compound content,\u201d emphasizes K. Irti\u0161eva. Humus solution has already been provided to households and farms for experimental use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Irti\u0161eva has partnered with Bulduri Horticultural School to conduct experiments in open fields and greenhouses as well as to test the product in combination with hydroponic and aeroponic methods – growing plants without soil. The tests will help prepare scientifically justified recommendations for optimally efficient usage of the solution. Development of sustainable technology for humus solution production is the theme of K. Irti\u0161eva\u2019s thesis. She also plans to commercialise the technology – for that purpose, she is starting a start-up company named \u201cHumico\u201d. In the future, the company might also work on other technologies and products that, according to K. Irti\u0161eva, will \u201cpromote green growth\u201d. To develop the scientifically rigorous business idea, K. Irti\u0161eva is using the opportunities provided by RTU Student Innovation Grant Programme. She has participated in a commerce training program for scientists \u201cCo.Lab\u201d and successfully taken part in the first season of \u201cUniversity Incubator\u201d – a project jointly conducted by University of Latvia (LU) and RTU. \u201cI received valuable business advice from local and international level mentors and 5000 Euro financial support for product development. The funds will be used to produce a new humus solution batch to continue scientific testing,\u201d reveals K. Irti\u0161eva. Her scientific work and product development is supported by professor Jurijs Ozoli\u0146\u0161 and researcher Andrejs \u0160i\u0161kins (RTU Institute of General Chemical Engineering) and professor M\u0101ris K\u013cavi\u0146\u0161 (LU Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Publication:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.db.lv\/zinas\/par-rtu-padomes-priekssedetaju-ievelets-andris-vanags-506537<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n