scholarly journals Evaluation of Biopolymer-coated Fiber Containers for Container-grown Plants

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. McCabe ◽  
James A. Schrader ◽  
Samy Madbouly ◽  
David Grewell ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Coir Fiber ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Coated Fiber ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Strength And Durability ◽  
Plastic Containers

Biocontainers made of coconut coir, paper, peat, wood, or other natural fibers are considered sustainable alternatives to containers made of petroleum-based plastics, but growers’ acceptance and use of fiber containers have been limited by their comparatively high cost, low strength and durability, and poor water-use efficiency (WUE). We hypothesized that coating fiber containers with biopolymers would improve their strength, durability, and WUE during plant production. We compared the effectiveness of fiber containers of coir, paper, and wood that were either uncoated or coated with one of four biopolymers [polyamide (PA), polylactic acid (PLA), polyurethane (PU), or tung oil (TO)], peat-fiber containers that were uncoated, and injection-molded containers made of petroleum-based plastic. Ease of coating was assessed, along with the cost and strength of containers, their effectiveness during greenhouse production of ‘Honeycomb’ marigold (Tagetes patula), ‘Autumn Bell’ pepper (Capisicum annuum), ‘Madness Red’ petunia (Petunia ×hybrida), ‘St. John’s Fire’ salvia (Salvia splendens), and ‘Rutgers’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and their WUE during production of salvia and tomato. Castor oil-based PU was the least expensive biopolymer coating and was easy to apply as a water-based dispersion. The other biopolymers required a hazardous and costly organic solvent (e.g., chloroform). Coatings of PA, PLA, and PU increased container strength and durability, and improved WUE during plant production. Coated paper-fiber containers resisted horizontal compression better than petroleum-plastic containers. Greenhouse-grown plants in containers coated with PA, PLA, or PU were larger and rated healthier and of better quality than plants grown in uncoated or TO-coated fiber containers. Plants grown in paper- and coir-fiber containers coated with PA, PLA, or PU were similar in health and size to plants grown in petroleum-plastic containers. Two coatings of PU on paper-fiber containers resulted in WUE similar to that of petroleum-plastic containers for both 4- to 5-inch and gallon sizes. Coating fiber containers with biopolymers slowed, but did not halt, their degradation in soil, indicating that decomposition in soil may be a suitable end-of-life option for biopolymer-coated fiber containers. Our results support the hypothesis that coating fiber containers with biopolymers can improve their effectiveness for crop production, while maintaining an improvement in sustainability over petroleum plastic. Paper-fiber containers coated with PU showed particular promise and were similar in material cost and performance to containers made of petroleum-based plastic.

scholarly journals Soy-composite Biocontainers Allow for Reduced Fertilizer Inputs during Container-crop Production

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 927-934
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. McCabe ◽  
James A. Schrader ◽  
Christopher J. Currey ◽  
David Grewell ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Potential Reduction ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Sustainable Materials ◽  
Plastic Containers

Bioplastics and bioplastic composites are a group of emerging sustainable materials that exhibit favorable characteristics for use in horticulture-production containers. Biocontainers made from composite materials of soy [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] bioplastic and poly(lactic) acid (PLA) have been shown to release nitrogen (N) at a rate suitable for supporting plant growth. We hypothesized that fertilizer applications can be reduced while maintaining adequate nutrition levels for plant production when using soy-based containers. To test this hypothesis and quantify potential reduction of fertilizer, we grew marigold ‘Honeycomb’ (Tagetes patula L.) in five prototypes of soy-composite biocontainers [soy bioplastic compounded with PLA or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)] and a petroleum-plastic (polypropylene) control container with five fertilizer treatments supplying 1) 60N‒4P‒49K; 2) 75N‒5P‒61K; 3) 105N‒7P‒85K; 4) 150N‒10P‒122K; or 5) 300N‒20P‒244K mg. At harvest, plants grown in all soy‒PLA composite biocontainers and protein + PLA biocontainers had higher concentrations and contents of N and P compared with plants grown in petroleum-plastic containers across all fertilizer treatments. Shoot K concentrations were highest for plants grown in all soy‒PLA and soy‒PHA biocontainers compared with plants grown in petroleum-plastic containers across all fertilizer treatments, whereas shoot K concentrations in plants grown in protein + PLA biocontainers were equal to or lower than plants in petroleum-plastic containers. Total plant dry weight was greater for plants grown in biocontainers made of 50% soy‒50% PLA and protein + PLA than for plants grown in control containers across all fertilizer treatments except at the highest rate of fertilizer in which plants received 300N‒20P‒244K mg. Our results support the hypothesis that fertilizer inputs can be reduced when using soy-composite biocontainers. Biocontainers made with equal parts soy bioplastic and PLA showed strong potential for achieving adequate plant growth with reduced fertilizer input. Our results demonstrate that fertilizer can be reduced by as much as 80% when growing marigold in containers made of 50% soy‒50% PLA for 6 weeks.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Biopolymer Horticultural Products for Production and Postproduction Nutrient Provision of Garden and Bedding Crops and Container Ornamentals

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-266
Author(s):  
James A. Schrader ◽  
Christopher J. Currey ◽  
Nicholas J. Flax ◽  
David Grewell ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Garden Soil ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Current Formulation ◽  
Horticultural Products ◽  
Plastic Containers

We evaluated emerging biopolymer horticultural products that provide fertilizer nutrients to plants (fertilizing biocontainers, pelletized biopolymer fertilizer, and biopolymer fertilizer spikes) for their effectiveness during greenhouse production and garden growth of floriculture crops, and during postproduction culture of container ornamentals. Greenhouse experiments (in 4.5-inch containers) and garden trials were performed with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), petunia (Petunia ×hybrida), and marigold (Tagetes patula). Postproduction experiments were performed with 12-inch hanging baskets containing lobelia (Lobelia erinus), trailing petunia (Calibrachoa ×hybrida), and petunia, and with 13-inch patio planters containing zonal geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum), spikes (Cordyline indivisa), bidens (Bidens ferulifolia), and trailing petunia. Although slightly less effective than synthetic controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), all three nutrient-containing biopolymer horticultural products were sufficient and suitable for providing fertilizer nutrients to plants grown in containers and in garden soil. Results of the postproduction experiment provided proof-of-concept for the effectiveness and potential of biopolymer fertilizer spikes as a sustainable method for providing fertilizer nutrients to containerized plants. The current formulation of pelletized biopolymer fertilizer was somewhat more effective for vegetable crops (pepper and tomato) than for floriculture crops (marigold and petunia). For plants produced in 4.5-inch containers, the combination of the fertilizing biocontainer with no additional fertilizer in the greenhouse, then burying the fertilizing container beneath the plant to degrade and provide nutrients in the garden was very effective. Biopolymer horticultural products represent a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastic containers and synthetic fertilizers. Adoption of some or all of these technologies could improve the environmental sustainability of the horticulture industry without reducing productivity or efficiency, and without increasing labor intensity.

scholarly journals Compatibility of Biocontainers in Commercial Greenhouse Crop Production

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Koeser ◽  
Gary Kling ◽  
Candice Miller ◽  
Daniel Warnock
Keyword(s):  
Production Process ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Solenostemon Scutellarioides ◽  
Current Production ◽  
Areas Of Concern ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
Plastic Containers

Despite consumer interest in biocontainers, their use in commercial greenhouse production remains limited. Previous research indicates that a perceived incompatibility of biocontainers with current production systems may be a barrier to their widespread adoption. This article investigates two potential areas of concern for growers looking to adopt biocontainers as part of their production process: 1) the ability of biocontainers to withstand the rigors of a semimechanized commercial production process, and 2) biocontainer performance under three different irrigation methods (i.e., hand, ebb-and-flood, and drip irrigation). In the two studies presented here, ‘Florida Sun Jade’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) was evaluated to match measures of container resiliency with plant performance. Results indicate that plants grown in biocontainers were of equal size and quality as those grown in conventional plastic containers within each of the irrigation types tested. However, some biocontainers were more prone to damage during crop production, handling, and shipping.

scholarly journals Fertilizer Effects of Soy-plastic Containers during Crop Production and Transplant Establishment

HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 724-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Schrader ◽  
Gowrishankar Srinivasan ◽  
David Grewell ◽  
Kenneth G. McCabe ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Relative Concentration ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Available N ◽  
Greenhouse Trial ◽  
Material Formulation ◽  
Plastic Containers

As part of a project to develop and assess bio-based, biodegradable plastics for their potential to replace petroleum-based plastics in specialty-crop containers, we evaluated prototype containers made of protein-based polymers from soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] for their effectiveness during production of plants in greenhouses and subsequent establishment of those plants outdoors. Our objective was to assess the function and biodegradation of soy-based plastic containers with special attention to whether a fertilizer effect results from degrading containers before and after plants are moved outdoors. In our first experiment, plants of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were grown in soy-plastic containers and control containers of petroleum-based (polypropylene) plastic under greenhouse conditions for 4 weeks. Each plant then was transplanted and grown in an outdoor garden plot for 5 weeks with the container removed, broken into pieces less than 4 cm in diameter, and installed beneath the roots of the transplant. Three additional experiments were performed: a greenhouse trial to quantify the relative concentration and form of plant-available nitrogen (N) released from soy-plastic containers of three types [soy plastic, soy plastic coated with polylactic acid (PLA), and soy–PLA polymer blended 50:50 by weight] during production; a greenhouse trial to evaluate the same three container types under production conditions with five container-crop species; and a field trial to assess the effects of the 50:50 soy–PLA container on transplant establishment. Plant-available N was released from soy-based plastic containers during greenhouse production, and transplant establishment was enhanced when the soy-based container was removed, crushed, and installed in the soil near plant roots. During greenhouse production, containers of high-percentage soy plastic released N at an excessive rate (623 mg·L−1 in leachate) and predominantly in the form of NH4+ (99.4% at 3 weeks of culture). Containers made by blending soy plastic with PLA released N at a favorable rate during production. In both field trials, growth and health of plants cultured in soy containers were better than those of controls. Although the design and material formulation of soy-plastic containers need to be improved to optimize container integrity and plant health during production, our results illustrate the potential to use soy-based plastics in biodegradable containers that release N at rates that promote growth and health of plants during greenhouse production and establishment of transplants outdoors.

scholarly journals The Influence of Opencast Lignite Mining Dehydration on Plant Production—A Methodological Study

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1917
Author(s):  
Benedykt Pepliński ◽  
Wawrzyniec Czubak
Keyword(s):  
Brown Coal ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
External Costs ◽  
Opencast Mines ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Potato Yields ◽  
Burning Coal ◽  
Depression Cone ◽  
The Cost

In many circles, brown coal continues to be viewed as a cheap source of energy, resulting in numerous investments in new opencast brown coal mines. Such a perception of brown coal energy is only possible if the external costs associated with mining and burning coal are not considered. In past studies, external cost analysis has focused on the external costs of coal burning and associated emissions. This paper focuses on the extraction phase and assesses the external costs to agriculture associated with the resulting depression cone. This paper discusses the difficulties researchers face in estimating agricultural losses resulting from the development of a depression cone due to opencast mineral extraction. In the case of brown coal, the impacts are of a geological, natural-climatic, agricultural-productive, temporal, and spatial nature and result from a multiplicity of interacting factors. Then, a methodology for counting external costs in crop production was proposed. The next section estimates the external costs of crop production arising from the operation of opencast mines in the Konin-Turek brown coal field, which is located in central Poland. The analyses conducted showed a large decrease in grain and potato yields and no effect of the depression cone on sugar beet levels. Including the estimated external costs in the cost of producing electricity from mined brown coal would significantly worsen the profitability of that production.

Development of Banana/Coir Natural Fibers Reinforced Polypropylene Hybrid Composites: The Effect of MA-g-PP (Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene) on Mechanical Properties and Thermal Properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 85-97
Author(s):  
Gunturu Bujjibabu ◽  
Vemulapalli Chittaranjan Das ◽  
Malkapuram Ramakrishna ◽  
Konduru Nagarjuna
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Impact Strength ◽  
Coupling Agent ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Hybrid Composites ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Mechanical Tests ◽  
Coir Fiber ◽  
Banana Fiber ◽  
C Fibers

Banana/Coir fiber reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites was formulated by using twin screw extruder and injection molding machine. Specimens were prepared untreated and treated B/C Hybrid composites with 4% and 8% of MA-g-PP to increase its compatibility with the polypropylene matrix. Both the without MA-g-PP and with MA-g-PP B/C hybrid composites was utilized and three levels of B/C fiber loadings 15/5, 10/10 and 5/15 % were used during manufacturing of B/C reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites. In this work mechanical performance (tensile, flexural and impact strengths) of untreated and treated (coupling agent) with 4% and 8% of MA-g-PP B/C fibers reinforced polypropylene hybrid composite have been investigated. Treated with MA-g-PP B/C fibers reinforced specimens explored better mechanical properties compared to untreated B/C fibers reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites. Mechanical tests represents that tensile, flexural and impact strength increases with increase in concentration of coupling agent compared to without coupling agent MA-g-PP hybrid composites . B/C fibers reinforced polymer composites exhibited higher tensile, flexural and impact strength at 5% of Banana fiber, 15% of fiber Coir in the presence of 8% of MA-g-PP compared to 4% of MA-g-PP and untreated hybrid composites. The percentage of water absorption in the B/C fibers reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites resisted due to the presence of coupling agent MA-g-PP and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) also has done.

Coir fiber as a sustainable material in pavement construction.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjaly M.
Keyword(s):  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Asphalt Mixture ◽  
Fatigue Cracking ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Coir Fiber ◽  
Sustainable Material ◽  
Stone Matrix Asphalt ◽  
Pavement Construction ◽  
Stone Matrix

ABSTRACT Traffic is increasing day by day due to increased vehicle ownership and infrastructure development. As the modern highway transportation has high speed, high traffic density, heavy load and channelized traffic, bituminous concrete is subjected to various types of distress such as rutting, fatigue cracking and raveling. Fatigue cracking occurs because bituminous layers are weak in tension. Therefore reinforcement of the bituminous mixes is one approach to improve tensile strength. Natural fibers can be used for reinforcing as a substitute for synthetic fibers due to their lower cost, ecological recycling and low specific gravity. Among natural fibers growing attention is being paid to coir fiber due to its easy availability, good wearing resistance and more durable property. Also rutting along wheel path causes vehicle hydroplaning during rainy seasons due to loss of skid resistance. As well as water accumulated over the longitudinal depressions damages bond between binder and aggregates. Therefore there is a need for a durable mix which can increase the service life of pavement thus reduces life cycle cost. This study is about use of coir fiber in pavement construction to improve the performance characteristics of the asphalt mixture being used. Stone matrix asphalt mixture is a rut resistant and durable mix which is reinforced with coir fiber and tested for various performance characteristics. Coir fiber is a sustainable material which can be used for rutting resistant mixture.   Keywords: Stone matrix asphalt, Coir fiber, rutting

scholarly journals PENGGUNAAN KOMPOS BAGASE UNTUK MENGOPTIMALKAN PRODUKSI TANAMAN TERUNG (Solanum melongena L.)

HORTUSCOLER ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (01) ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Risa Selfiani ◽  
Darmansyah Darmansyah
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Solanum Melongena ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Market Potential ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Chemical Fertilizers ◽  
Food Ingredient ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a plant species that is known as the fruit and vegetables grown for use as a food ingredient. These plants belong to one group of plants that produce seeds Eggplant Trunk divided into two kinds, namely the main stem and branching. Eggplant leaf consists of a petiole and the leaf blade. Eggplant flowers are hermaphrodite flowers, or better known as the bisexual flowers, the flowers are one of the stamen to the pistil. Eggplant fruit is the fruit of a true single.. Cultivation of eggplant in the Project of Independent Business is using composting technology bagase. Bagase compost is compost that comes from bagasse or the rest of the sugar mill. Bagase own compost organic matter content of about 90%, N content of 0,3%, 0,02% P2O5, K20 0,14%, Ca 0,06% and 0,04% Mg. The project goal independent business is the use of compost bagase on the cultivation of eggplant to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and optimize plant production eggplant, farming systems semi-organic environmentally sustainable and analyze the feasibility of cultivation of eggplant with market potential in Payakumbuh and the District Fifty City. Independent business projects implemented during the four months from September to December 2015 and conducted experiments dikebun State Agricultural Polytechnic Payakumbuh with total area of ​​300 m2. Eggplant crop production on the independent business projects with the use of compost bagase treatment that is 575 Kg/300 m2, a profit of Rp. 835.310, the profitability of 92% and RC Ratio of 1,92.

scholarly journals Trends of development of agricultural enterprises specializing in plant production in Ukraine

2020 ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Maryna POLENKOVA
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Sugar Beets ◽  
Agricultural Enterprises ◽  
Agricultural Potential ◽  
Berry Crops ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

The paper defines the structural distribution of sown area of crops. The dynamics of production of cereals and legumes, sugar beets, sunflowers, potatoes, vegetables, fruits and berries. The clustering of regions of Ukraine under similar conditions of development of the enterprises of the agricultural sector specializing in crop production is carried out. According to the results of the analysis, 3 clusters were identified, which gave rise to the possibility of forming (developing) joint effective organizational and economic mechanisms to enhance the development of crop enterprises, favorable for implementation within the cluster. In the course of this study, we focus on the development trends of enterprises specializing in crop products. The lion's share (54.7 %) of sown areas falls on cereals and legumes. Technical crops occupy, which is 32.6 %, and potatoes, vegetables and melons – 6.5 %. It is important to note the long-term positive dynamics of production of cereals and legumes and the growth of production can be traced to all categories of farms – in farms and households. The production of sunflower and vegetable crops was also marked by positive dynamics. The decrease was observed in the production of sugar beets, potatoes, fruit and berry crops. In the context of the study, it is important to identify similar conditions (environment, resources, etc.) for the development of agricultural enterprises between the regions of Ukraine. For this purpose, multifactor statistical analysis (cluster analysis) of key factors of their development was used on the basis of a matrix of 25 selected indicators of development of enterprises specializing in crop production in all regions (600 indicators). To enhance the objectivity of the results, the analysis was conducted in 2010, 2015 and 2019. According to the results of the analysis, taxonomic groups (clusters) were singled out, which made it possible to single out similar regional conditions within each group. Since 2010, there have been significant changes in the regional distribution of Ukraine's agricultural potential. However, during 2015–2019 there is a relative stability in terms of resource provision and use within specific clusters. According to the results of the analysis, three clusters are distinguished: I. Volyn, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Rivne, Chernivtsi, as well as Donetsk and Luhansk regions. II. Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Ternopil, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytsky regions. III. Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Sumy, Cherkasy and Chernihiv regions.

scholarly journals Fishwaste Compost Medium Improves Growth and Quality of Container-grown Marigolds and Geraniums Without Leaching

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L. Hummel ◽  
S. Kuo ◽  
D. Winters ◽  
E.J. Jellum
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Available N ◽  
N Source ◽  
Growing Medium

Abstract Utilization of fish waste for producing fishwaste compost (FWC) as a value-added product is preferred to disposing of it in ocean dumping or landfills. This study determined: (i) the effectiveness of FWC as a container-growth medium and N source for greenhouse production of marigolds (Tagetes patula L. ‘Queen Sophia’) and geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum L.H. Bailey ‘Sprinter Scarlet’) that were drip-irrigated to prevent leaching; and (ii) if leaching was necessary to sustain plant growth. In a 3 by 3 factorial experiment, plants were grown in 100% FWC, 50% FWC:50% Douglas-fir bark (B), and 100% B at 0, 160, and 320 mg (0, 0.0056, 0.0112 oz) N container−1 applied as NH4NO3 every 2 weeks. Under drip irrigation, FWC in the 100% FWC growing medium supplied a sufficient amount of available N up to 7 weeks after transplanting to produce plant quality, shoot growth index (SGI), and shoot and root dry weights comparable to those treated with 320 mg N container−1. In the 50% FWC: 50% B growing medium fertilization with 320 mg N improved plant growth and quality 7 weeks after transplanting. The concentration of inorganic N (NO3 plus NH4) in the 100% FWC declined to very low levels 7 weeks after transplanting. This indicated that FWC used as the sole component of the growing medium was an effective N source for marigolds and geraniums up to 7 weeks after transplant. Compared with no leach plants, irrigation of 100% FWC marigolds with a weekly leaching fraction of about 0.55 did not affect quality, SGI, and shoot dry weight at the time-of-sale, 7 weeks after transplant. The FWC did not have sufficiently high salt content to require minimum leaching to prevent salt injury to the plants.

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