Application of furcellaria lumbricalis in development of biodegradable seedling pots

Abstract

The use of plastic pots in gardening has been prevalent since the 1960s, and since then the demand for such products has significantly increased. However, the negative impact of plastic pot usage on plants and the environment has led to the need for researching and developing new environmentally friendly and sustainable materials for gardening needs. A practical study was conducted to develop and test a new type of seedling pot made from algae Furcellaria lumbricalis and paper, which was compared to existing biodegradable pots made from peat-paper and paper, as well as a plastic pot for comparison. The study found that pots made from algae and paper showed better germination results than comparable products available in Latvia. The number of sprouted seedlings in each sample was counted, with each sample initially having 15 seeds. The best results were found in pots made of algae-paper, with a germination rate of 74.4%. The second-best results were found in pots made of peat-paper, with a germination rate of 59.4%. The third, were found in plastic pots, with a germination rate of 58.8%. The worst results were found in plain paper pots, with a germination rate of 47.2%. Additionally, the algae-paper pots exhibited the most favourable recovery from the stress test, with well-developed root systems, while specimens grown in plastic pots exhibited marked chlorosis. Thus, the study concludes that algae-paper pots are a promising option for biodegradable pots that can compete with plastic pots.