ASTM D2978-23

Standard Test Method for Volume of Peat and Peat-Based Growing Media

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to quantify the volume of peat and peat-based growing media under consideration in commercial transactions to determine if the package contains the labeled quantity. As such, material comes into the test area in an “as sold” condition.  
5.2 Peat and peat-based growing media are used by amateur gardeners and professional growers on a volume basis. Failure to follow this standard procedure as written can lead to inaccurate results.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the volume of uncompressed (loose) and compressed (baled) peat and peat-based growing media and is used as a quality control measurement to determine if the package contains the labeled amount of material. The results of this test method is highly dependent on the experience of the personnel running the procedure.  
1.2 This standard is for peat and peat-based growing media only. While it is possible for other types of growing media to use this standard it is outside the scope and the methodology may have to be altered to accommodate a different growing media.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. Except, that the sieve designations are typically identified using the “alternative” system in accordance with Practice E11, such as 3 in. and No. 200, instead of the “standard” of 75 mm and 75 µm, respectively.  
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2023
• ICS: 65.080 - Fertilizers
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.22 - Media for Plant Growth

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D2978 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Volume of Peat and Peat-Based Growing Media
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2978; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the volume
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of uncompressed (loose) and compressed (baled) peat and
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
peat-based growing media and is used as a quality control
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
measurement to determine if the package contains the labeled
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
amount of material. The results of this test method is highly
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
dependent on the experience of the personnel running the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
procedure.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 This standard is for peat and peat-based growing media
only. While it is possible for other types of growing media to
2. Referenced Documents
use this standard it is outside the scope and the methodology
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
may have to be altered to accommodate a different growing
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
media.
Fluids
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
and are not considered standard. Except, that the sieve desig-
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
nations are typically identified using the “alternative” system in
cords in Geotechnical Data
accordance with Practice E11, such as 3 in. and No. 200,
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
instead of the “standard” of 75 mm and 75 μm, respectively.
Sieves
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
3. Terminology
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms in this
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
4. Summary of Test Method
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
4.1 This test method consists of dividing the particles of
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
peat or peat-based growing media by passing them through a
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
0.5 in. (12.5 mm) sieve by allowing them to fall into a
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
volume-measuring container and if required, measuring the
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
outer dimensions of uncompressed peat.
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
methods for engineering design.
5. Significance and Use
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 This test method is used to quantify the volume of peat
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and peat-based growing media under consideration in commer-
cial transactions to determine if the package contains the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for Plant
2
Growth. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ɛ1
in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D2978 – 15 . DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D2978-23. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C70
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation: D2978 − 15 D2978 − 23
Standard Test MethodsMethod for
Volume of Processed Peat MaterialsPeat and Peat-Based
1
Growing Media
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2978; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Editorially updated units of measurement statement in April 2018.
1. Scope*
1.1 These test methods coverThis test method covers the measurement of the volume of loose and baled processed peat expressed
as cubic feetuncompressed (loose) and compressed (baled) peat and peat-based growing media and is used as a quality control
measurement to determine if the package contains the labeled amount of material. The results of these test methods arethis test
method is highly dependent on the experience of the personnel running the procedure.
1.2 There are two test methods, Method A for Loose Peat and Method B for Baled Peat. Method A is used when the material is
uncompacted and Method B is used when the material is compacted.This standard is for peat and peat-based growing media only.
While it is possible for other types of growing media to use this standard it is outside the scope and the methodology may have
to be altered to accommodate a different growing media.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after inch-pound units
are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. Except, that the
sieve designations are typically identified using the “alternative” system in accordance with Practice E11, such as 3-in. 3 in. and
No. 200, instead of the “standard” of 75-mm and 75-μm, 75 mm and 75 μm, respectively.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for Plant Growth.
Current edition approved May 1, 2015July 1, 2023. Published June 2015July 2023. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
ɛ1
D2978 – 03D2978 – 15 (2010). DOI: 10.1520/D2978-15E01. DOI: 10.1520/D2978-23.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2978 − 23
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical Data
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 D
...