ASTM D2977-22

Standard Practice for Particle Size Range of Peat Materials for Horticultural Purposes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice is primarily used in the horticulture industry to separates peat material into arbitrary fractions based on particle size. Physical separation of peat material according to particle size provides a useful indicator of the properties of a peat specimen such as pore space and degree of decomposition for unprocessed peat. It also provides a means of determining the amount of foreign matter not in a divided state such as sticks, stones, and glass.
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 assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 Peat materials consist of particles with various sizes. This practice covers the separation of peat particles into coarse, medium, and fine size fractions using the 2.36 mm (No. 8) and 0.850 mm (No. 20) sieves equipped with cover and bottom pan. This practice is applicable for peat materials used in the horticultural industry and can be used to verify the degree of decomposition of peat and to determine the foreign matter content.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.  
1.2.1 It is common practice in the engineering/construction profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) and of force (lbf). This practice implicitly combines two separate systems of units; the absolute and the gravitational systems. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. As stated, this standard includes the gravitational system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slug unit of mass. However, the use of balances and scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft3 shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.  
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.3.1 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.  
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2022
• ICS: 19.120 - Particle size analysis. Sieving
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.22 - Media for Plant Growth

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D4753-24 - Standard Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D3740-23 - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D2974-20e1 - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D2974-20 - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3740-19 - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4753-15 - Standard Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
• Effective Date: 01-May-2015
• Refers: ASTM D2974-14 - Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM D653-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2014
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM D2974-13 - Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D3740-12a - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM D3740-12 - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM D3740-11 - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Refers: ASTM D653-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3740-10 - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2010

Overview

ASTM D2977-22: Standard Practice for Particle Size Range of Peat Materials for Horticultural Purposes establishes a reliable method for the physical separation and classification of peat materials based on particle size. Primarily utilized in the horticultural industry, this standard provides a consistent approach to determine the proportion of coarse, medium, and fine fractions within peat by means of mechanical sieving. This separation is valuable for assessing key characteristics of peat such as pore space, degree of decomposition, and the presence of unwanted foreign matter.

Key Topics

• Particle Size Classification: The standard outlines procedures for categorizing peat material into three size fractions - coarse, medium, and fine - using 2.36 mm (No. 8) and 0.850 mm (No. 20) sieves.
• Assessment of Peat Quality: By classifying particle sizes, the method provides insights into physical properties like pore space and decomposition, which impact suitability for horticultural applications.
• Detection of Foreign Matter: The practice allows for the identification and quantification of non-peat materials (e.g., sticks, stones, glass) present in the sample.
• Standardized Reporting: Results must be reported following industry guidelines for significant digits and rounding, ensuring consistency and reliability.

Applications

ASTM D2977-22 finds practical value in several areas within horticulture and soil analysis:

• Horticultural Product Quality Control: Nursery and greenhouse operators use these methods to verify that peat meets desired specifications for particle size distribution, ensuring optimal aeration, water retention, and root development in growing media.
• Verification of Material Purity: The ability to identify and quantify foreign matter assists suppliers and buyers in confirming the quality and cleanliness of peat products.
• Research and Product Development: Soil scientists and horticultural researchers employ this practice to investigate the impact of particle size on peat’s performance, supporting the development of improved soil amendments and potting mixes.
• Supplier Compliance: Peat producers and distributors use standardized particle size analysis to meet industry and regulatory requirements, providing confidence to customers regarding the consistency of supplied materials.

Related Standards

Understanding and applying ASTM D2977-22 is facilitated by reference to other key ASTM standards in soil and horticulture testing, including:

• ASTM D2974: Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils
• ASTM D653: Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM D3740: Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D4753: Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
• ASTM D6026: Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves

Practical Value

Adhering to ASTM D2977-22 ensures standardized, repeatable results for the particle size analysis of peat materials, supporting the production of high-quality horticultural substrates. By providing a systematic approach to sieving and classifying peat, the standard helps ensure that growing media meet performance expectations for horticultural uses. Compliance with ASTM D2977-22 enhances product consistency, aids in quality assurance, and fosters trust between peat suppliers and their customers across the global horticultural industry.

Keywords: ASTMD2977-22, particle size, peat, horticulture, sieving, soil analysis, growing media, peat analysis, foreign matter detection, horticultural standards.

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: D2977 − 22
Standard Practice for
Particle Size Range of Peat Materials for Horticultural
Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2977; 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* increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
1.1 Peat materials consist of particles with various sizes.
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
Thispracticecoverstheseparationofpeatparticlesintocoarse,
methods for engineering design.
medium, and fine size fractions using the 2.36 mm (No. 8) and
0.850 mm (No. 20) sieves equipped with cover and bottom 1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
pan. This practice is applicable for peat materials used in the one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
horticultural industry and can be used to verify the degree of education or experience and should be used in conjunction
decomposition of peat and to determine the foreign matter with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
content. be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
title of this document means only that the document has been
nonconformance with this standard.
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.2.1 It is common practice in the engineering/construction
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of mass (lbm) and of force (lbf). This practice implicitly
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
combines two separate systems of units; the absolute and the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
gravitational systems. It is scientifically undesirable to com-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
bine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
single standard. As stated, this standard includes the gravita-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tional system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
slug unit of mass. However, the use of balances and scales
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
recording pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
2. Referenced Documents
Practice D6026.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
Fluids
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
D2974 Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture)
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
Other Organic Soils
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
This practice 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. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D2977 – 14. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI:10.1520/D2977-22. the ASTM website.
*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
D2977 − 22
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal- Record the mass of the representative sample to the nearest
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and 0.01 g. Air dry the representative sample in accordance with
Construction Materials Testing Method B of Test Methods D2974 (see Note 2).
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
NOTE 2—The representative sample referred to in this standard is
cords in Geotechnical Data
equivalenttothetestspecimenasdescribedin7.3ofTestMethodsD2974.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
7.2 Assemble the sieves by stacking the 2.36 mm (No. 8)
Sieves
sieve followed by the 0.850 mm (No. 20) sieve and then the
pan.
3. Terminology
7.3 Thoroughly mix the air-dried representative sample and
3.1 Definitions:
take 50.00 6 10 g of it to obtain the air-dried test specimen.
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
Measureandrecordthemassoftheair-driedtestspecimen, M ,
standard, refer to Terminology D653. s
to the nearest 0.01 g. Place the test specimen on top of the first
4. Summary of Practice
sieve.
4.1 A representative test specimen of air-dried peat is
7.4 Put the cover on the 2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve and secure
separated into three designated size fractions, four if foreign
in the mechanical shaker.
matter is present, by sieving. The mass percentage of each
7.5 Shake at a suitable speed for 10 min.
fraction is t
...

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.
Designation: D2977 − 14 D2977 − 22
Standard Practice for
Particle Size Range of Peat Materials for Horticultural
Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2977; 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*
1.1 Peat materials consist of particles with various sizes. This practice covers measurement of the mass percentage of fractions
of a peat material defined in terms of selected ranges of screen sizes.the separation of peat particles into coarse, medium, and fine
size fractions using the 2.36 mm (No. 8) and 0.850 mm (No. 20) sieves equipped with cover and bottom pan. This practice is
applicable for peat materials used in the horticultural industry and can be used to verify the degree of decomposition of peat and
to determine the foreign matter content.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are being to be regarded as standard. Units of inch-pound The values given in parentheses
are provided for information only.only and are not considered standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not
be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.2.1 It is common practice in the engineering/construction profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass
(lbm) and of force (lbf). This practice implicitly combines two separate systems of units; the absolute and the gravitational systems.
It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. As stated, this
standard includes the gravitational system of inch-pound units and does not use/present the slug unit of mass. However, the use
of balances and scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) or recording density in lbm/ft shall not be regarded as nonconformance
with this standard.
1.3 All measuredobserved and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026.
1.3.1 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.
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be
applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium Media
for Plant Growth.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2022. Published November 2014October 2022. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20032014
as D2977 – 03, which was withdrawn February 2012 and reinstated in November 2014. DOI:10.1520/D2977-14.14. DOI:10.1520/D2977-22.
*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
D2977 − 22
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s
many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through
the ASTM consensus process.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D2974 Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other
Organic Soils
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction
Materials Testing
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 used in this practice,standard, refer to Terminology D653.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 A representative test specimen of air-dried peat is separated into four designated fractions by means of a 2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve
and an 0.85 mm (No. 20) sieve. The fractions are: (three designated size fractions, four if 1) foreign matter removed manually from
the 2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve, (foreign matter is present, by sieving. 2) coarse fiber retained on the 2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve, (3) medium
fiber through the 2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve but retained on the 0.85 mm (No. 20) sieve and fine fibers and fines through the 0.85 mm
(No. 20) sieve. The mass percentage of each fraction is reported on thethen determined and recorded on an as-received basis.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice is primarily used in the horticulture industry to separates peat material into arbitrary fractions based on particle
size. Physical separation of peat material according to particle size provides a useful indicator of the properties of a peat specimen
such as pore space, decomposition, etc. It space and degree of decomposition for unprocessed peat. It also provides a means of
determining the amount of foreign matter not in a divided state such as sticks, stones, and glass.
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/ and the like. testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does
not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Mechanical Sieve Shaker. Shaker—A device that holds a stack of sieves while imparting sufficient motion to the sieves. The
“Standard Shaking Period” must be from 10 to 20 minutes. The shaker shall have a timing device or a timing device shall be used
in conjunction with the shaker.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summa
...