Physical Properties of Biocontainers for Greenhouse Crops Production

Abstract

<jats:p>The vertical dry strength of rice hull containers was the highest of all containers tested. Plastic containers and paper containers had similar vertical dry strengths. Containers composed of 80% cedar fiber and 20% peat (Fertil), composted dairy manure (Cowpot), and peat had lower dry vertical dry strengths than the aforementioned containers but had higher vertical dry strengths than those composed of bioplastic (OP47), coconut fiber, and rice straw. Rice hull containers and paper containers had the highest lateral dry strengths. Rice straw, Cowpot, and plastic containers had similar dry lateral strengths, which were significantly higher than those of OP47, Fertil, coconut fiber, and peat containers. Highest dry punch strengths occurred with traditional plastic and Cowpot containers, while the lowest dry punch strengths occurred with OP47, Fertil, coconut fiber, peat, and rice straw containers. Plastic, rice hull, and paper containers had the highest wet vertical and lateral strengths. Plastic containers had the highest wet punch strength, while Fertil, Cowpot, and peat containers had the lowest wet punch strengths. When saturated substrate was placed into containers and the substrate surface and drainage holes were sealed with wax, plastic, OP47, and rice hull containers had the lowest rates of water loss per unit of container surface area, while peat, Fertil, and rice straw containers had the highest rates of water loss per unit of container surface area. The amounts of water required to produce a geranium (<jats:italic>Pelargonium</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>hortorum</jats:italic>) crop were significantly higher and the average irrigation intervals were shorter for peat, Fertil, coconut fiber, Cowpot, and rice straw containers than for traditional plastic containers. The amounts of water required to produce a geranium crop and the average irrigation intervals were similar among plastic, rice hull, and OP47 containers. Algal and fungal coverage on the outside container walls averaged 47% and 26% for peat and Fertil containers, respectively, and was higher than for all other containers tested, which had 4% or less algal and fungal coverage. After 8 weeks in the field, Cowpot containers had decomposed 62% and 48% in the Pennsylvania and Louisiana locations, respectively. Peat, rice straw, and Fertil containers decomposed 32%, 28%, and 24%, respectively, in Pennsylvania, and 10%, 9%, and 2%, respectively, in Louisiana. Coconut fiber containers had the lowest level of decomposition at 4% and 1.5% in Pennsylvania and Louisiana, respectively.</jats:p>

The effect of biobased plastic resins containing chicken feather fibers on the growth and flowering of Begonia boliviensis

“…Recently, physical properties of several types of biodegradable pots such as rice-hull based pots and containers have been evaluated (Evans et al, 2010). These reports indicated that plants were grown successfully in media containing up to 30% feather fiber (Evans, 2004;Evans and Hensley, 2004).…”

Physical and chemical properties of biobased plastic resins containing chicken feather fibers

“…Recently, physical properties of several types of biodegradable pots such as rice-hull based pots and containers have been evaluated (Evans et al, 2010). These reports indicated that plants were grown successfully in the media containing up to 30% feather fiber (Evans, 2004;Evans and Hensley, 2004).…”

Use of Recycled Cellulose Fibers to Obtain Sustainable Products for Bioeconomy Applications

“…Therefore, obtaining biodegradable nutritive pots is based on the principles of sustainable development, considering the entire life cycle of the product [22]:…”

“…Recently, alternative containers based on natural raw materials, impregnated with various components, such as slow-releasing fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, and plant growth regulators that are released during plant growth, are gaining entry to the market and could enhance the efficiency of the production system. Industry and researchers are continuously working together to develop and fine-tune sustainable alternative containers to suit emerging grower and customer requirements [6,7].…”