Wood fibre can be processed from wood. During
the process usually a temperature of more than 100 oC
is reached. Pathogens are killed at these high temperatures. Wood fibre
can be produced from many types of wood. Wooden waste material is less
suitable because of the possibility of toxic substances. Most of the time
the material is applied in bags. The fibres are stuffed into a net enclosed
and by a plastic film.
Characteristics
Products from Wood fibre contain a lot of air and hardly
hold any water. During culture nitrogen is fixated and the pH will rise.
By adapting the nutrient solution this problem can sometimes be solved.
This will depend on the irrigation type and frequency and the velocity
of nitrogen fixation.
Durability
The slabs will last for one culture only because the
materials structure is damaged by micro organisms. Therefore wood fibre
is not durable. For long cultures more wood fibre should be stuffed into
the bags so the substrate structure is maintained. If the product can be
steamed is of no concern because it is used for one culture only. Wood
fibre can be composted and perhaps be used as a constituent for growing
media for hobby culture.