The biodegradability and mechanical strength of nutritive pots for vegetable planting based on lignocellulose composite materials

Abstract

Considering the mild degradation strength and the fact that it may be an organic matter reserve for the soil, in the past years lignocellulosic materials have been used as fibrous raw materials in the manufacture of biodegradable nutritive pots for the seedling in vegetable containerized production. This paper analyses the behavior of the nutritive pots madefrom biodegradable composites for the vegetable seedling production process, focusing on their mechanical strength properties and biodegradability. It was found that the biodegradability of composite materials obtained from a mixture of secondary cellulosic fibers, peat, and additives, is strongly influenced by the presence or absence of the rhizosphere effect and the synergistic relations set in the culture substrate between the plant roots and microorganisms, which develop permanently the recycling and solubilization of mineral nutrients. The results showed that the presence in the substrate of some complex populations made by heterotrophic bacteria favors full degradation of the pulp and lignin contained in the substrate and pots composition. Therefore, unlike the reference sample (plant-free), cultivated versions exhibited an intense biodegradation on the account of rhizosphere effect.

Effects of New Compounds into Substrates on Seedling Qualities for Efficient Transplanting

“…Moreover, the plug seedlings cultivated with the addition of C-amended mixe were moderately growing and had no good twisting roots. Thus, they could not well re strict the substrate particles against compression deformation [19,24,31]. As shown in Figure 5b, the root lumps of B-amended mixes had excellent cohesiveness and resilience, which were compared with other treatments.…”

“…Moreover, the plug seedlings cultivated with the addition of C-amended mixes were moderately growing and had no good twisting roots. Thus, they could not well restrict the substrate particles against compression deformation [19,24,31].…”

Effects of Nursery Substrates Added with Horticultural Mediums on Growth Qualities of Plug Seedlings and Consolidation Capacities of Root Lumps

“…Moreover, the plug seedlings cultivated with the addition of C-amended mixes were moderately growing, and also had no good twisting roots. Thus they could not well restrict the substrate particles against compression deformation [19,24,31].…”

“…Moreover, the plug seedlings cultivated with the addition of C-amended mixes were moderately growing, and also had no good twisting roots. Thus they could not well restrict the substrate particles against compression deformation[19,24,31].As shown in Figure5b, the root lumps of B-amended mixes had the excellent cohesiveness and resilience, which were compared with other treatments. As the addition of B-amended mixes increased, it was strong for the root-substrate structure stability of plug seedlings.…”