Beyond Peat: Wood Fiber and Two Novel Organic Byproducts as Growing Media-A Systematic Review

Abstract

Environmental concerns drive the search for sustainable organic alternatives in horticultural substrates. This review critically examines three agro-industry renewable byproducts-wood fiber, coffee silverskin, and brewer's spent grain-as partial peat substitutes. We aimed to comprehensively analyze their origin, processing methods, current applications, and key physical, hydrological, and chemical properties relevant to horticultural use. In soilless culture, wood fiber can be used as a stand-alone substrate. When incorporated at 30-50% (v/v) in peat mixtures, it supports plant growth comparable to peat; however, higher proportions may restrict water and nutrient availability. Coffee silverskin demonstrates high water retention and nutrient content, but its inherent phytotoxicity requires pre-treatment (e.g., co-composting); at concentrations up to 20%, it shows promise for potted ornamental crops. Brewer's spent grain is nutrient-rich but demands careful management due to its rapid decomposition and potential salinity issues; inclusion rates around 10% have shown beneficial effects. In conclusion, when used appropriately in blends, these bio-based byproducts represent viable alternatives to reduce peat dependence in vegetable and ornamental cultivation, contributing to more sustainable horticultural practices. Future research should optimize pre-treatment methods for coffee silverskin and brewer's spent grain, investigate long-term stability in diverse cropping systems, and explore novel combinations with other organic waste streams to develop circular horticultural substrates.

Keywords: bioresources; brewer’s spent grain; circular economy; coffee silverskin; containerized cultivation peat alternative; renewable raw material; sawdust.

Figure 1

Wood fiber (a), coffee silverskin (b), and brewer’s spent grain (c).

Figure 2

Keywords references (%) divided into categories of interest: (a) potted growing media; (b) agro-environmental sustainability; (c) forestry and agro-industry byproducts; (d) conventional and unconventional organic matrices as wood fiber (WF), coffee silverskin (CS), and brewer’s spent grain (BSG).

Figure 3

Overview of agricultural applications for the three organic materials. (a) Wood fiber (WF) is used predominantly in horticultural practices, with 91% applied to ornamental plants and vegetable production; (b) presents data on coffee silverskin (CS), where soil amendments and composting account for 49% of its agricultural uses, and peat replacement represents 17%; (c) shows that brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is primarily utilized as a fertilizer, making up 44% of its reported agricultural application.