Microbiome rewards

Produce Grower: What sets a good substrate apart for controlled environment agriculture (CEA)?

Kyle Freedman: A top-tier substrate for CEA must offer a balanced suite of physical and chemical properties — such as optimal water retention, drainage, aeration and nutrient availability — to create an ideal growing environment. Beyond these essentials, it should foster a thriving beneficial plant microbiome that enhances nutrient uptake, strengthens disease resistance and boosts overall plant resilience. Jiffy’s substrates are a prime example; they’re engineered to meet these rigorous agronomic standards while leveraging their natural microbiomes’ characteristics and adhering to exceptional food safety protocols.

Photos courtesy of Jiffy

PG: How does the substrate microbiome contribute to plant health in indoor agriculture?

KF: The microbiome in organic substrates — such as peat, coir and wood fiber — supplies plants with vital bacteria and fungi. These beneficial microbes improve nutrient uptake, strengthen disease resistance and enhance stress tolerance, which is especially critical in soilless systems, where natural microbial diversity is lower. This dynamic microbial support plays a key role in promoting robust plant growth. Sterile environments where little to no microbes exist present an ideal situation for opportunistic pathogenic microbes to colonize and cause plant disease. Like conventional soil-based agriculture systems, diversity enhances resilience and creates an ecosystem where pathogens are not the only ones that are opportunistic. Decades of research have shown that microbes have very specific functions in which many can stimulate plant growth and development.

PG: What challenges exist in managing the microbiome in soilless systems, and how can growers address them?

KF: One major challenge in soilless systems is the naturally reduced microbial diversity, which can leave plants more vulnerable to pathogens. Growers can address this by choosing good substrates. This starts with sourcing high-quality material and carefully processing them to ensure physical, chemical and microbial structures are intact. Managing elements such as processing, storage transportation and using fresh material helps to reduce the risk of pathogens being present. Leveraging insights from our collaboration with Concert Bio, we have seen that the microbes found naturally in materials such as peat and coco can enhance plant growth, regardless of the type of growing media they are applied to. This creates a more resilient growing environment that helps protect crops against disease.

PG: Why is food safety so critical in substrate production, and what resources does Jiffy offer in this area?

KF: Food safety is essential because substrates directly impact the crops that eventually reach consumers. Jiffy employs rigorous quality controls — from carefully sourcing raw materials to implementing strict production protocols; our substrates are free from harmful pathogens. Additionally, Jiffy provides a comprehensive guide for food safety that outlines best practices and procedures, helping growers maintain the highest safety standards throughout their operations.

PG: Why should growers integrate both microbiome management and food safety protocols in their operations?

KF: Integrating both strategies provides that crops benefit from enhanced growth and resilience due to an optimized microbiome while also being produced under stringent food safety conditions. This dual focus minimizes contamination risks, meets consumer expectations and complies with regulatory requirements — resulting in more reliable and profitable indoor agriculture systems. For more detailed insights into our approach, you can download our comprehensive microbiome whitepaper from the Jiffy website and review our page, which offers additional information on our innovative substrate solutions and commitment to food safety.