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Effects of a Biodegradable Seedling Tray Made from Chicken Manure and Banana Pseudostem Fiber on the Early Growth Performance of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
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Researchers tested biodegradable seedling trays made from chicken manure, banana pseudostem fiber, and sawdust biochar as replacements for plastic horticultural trays, finding that formulations with higher fiber content significantly outperformed low-fiber alternatives in tomato plant height and leaf count over 14 days, despite commercial plastic trays still achieving faster initial growth.
The widespread reliance on conventional plastic seedling trays in horticulture exacerbates agricultural plastic pollution and soil degradation, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives. This study evaluated the efficacy of biodegradable seedling trays, formulated from varying proportions of chicken manure, banana pseudostem fiber, and sawdust biochar, on the early vegetative growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Utilizing a completely randomized design, the research compared three experimental formulations against a commercial plastic control. Performance was assessed 14 days post-germination by measuring plant height and leaf count. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and a Kruskal-Wallis test at a 0.05 significance level. Results demonstrated that the commercial control achieved the highest overall mean plant height and leaf count. However, among the biodegradable options, the formulation with the highest banana fiber content yielded significantly greater plant height (3.58 cm) compared to the reduced-fiber alternatives (F = 18.15, p < .001) and produced a significantly higher number of leaves (H = 13.81, p < .01). While structural integrity and biodegradation rates did not differ significantly across organic formulations, fiber content critically drove moisture dynamics. Although commercial trays facilitated more rapid initial growth, the high-fiber biodegradable trays supported continuous development, presenting a viable ecological alternative. Future studies should prioritize optimizing substrate formulations to enhance nutrient mineralization rates and immediate availability.
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Effects of a Biodegradable Seedling Tray Made from Chicken Manure and Banana Pseudostem Fiber on the Early Growth Performance of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers formulated biodegradable seedling trays from chicken manure, banana pseudostem fiber, and sawdust biochar as alternatives to conventional plastic trays for tomato seedlings, finding that the highest-fiber formulation produced significantly greater plant height and leaf count among the organic options, though commercial plastic trays still supported faster early growth overall.
Effect of Biodegradable Mulch and Different Synthetic Mulches on Growth and Yield of Field-Grown Small-Fruited Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
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This field trial compared biodegradable and synthetic plastic mulches for tomato cultivation and found that all mulching treatments increased marketable yield by an average of 19.6%. Notably, fruits grown on biodegradable foil had the highest potassium, lycopene, and polyphenol content, suggesting biodegradable mulches can match synthetic plastic performance while reducing long-term plastic contamination of agricultural soil.
The effect of adding residual humic acid biodegradable film on agronomic performance of potted tomato under greenhouse conditions
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Researchers investigated the effects of incorporating residual humic acid biodegradable film into soil on the agronomic performance of potted tomatoes grown under greenhouse conditions. The study examined how the degradation of biodegradable plastic mulch film and associated humic acid residues influences soil environment quality and vegetable crop growth.
Valorization of spent mushroom substrate and cassava pulp into biodegradable nursery pots: mechanical performance, cultivation performance, and biodegradation behavior
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Researchers made plant pots from mushroom growing waste, worm compost, and cassava pulp as an alternative to plastic pots. One mix showed the best strength and durability, and growing a vegetable in these pots over 8 weeks caused gradual cracking and root growth through the walls, with early estimates suggesting lower climate impact than plastic pots.
Biodegradable Mulching Film vs. Traditional Polyethylene: Effects on Yield and Quality of San Marzano Tomato Fruits
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A two-year field trial comparing biodegradable mulching film to conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for San Marzano tomato production found that both mulch types produced equivalent yield increases (25%) and improvements in fruit quality compared to bare soil. Biodegradable film began degrading in the field between 71 and 104 days after transplanting, making it a viable alternative that avoids end-of-life plastic waste. Replacing conventional plastic mulch with biodegradable alternatives could significantly reduce the agricultural microplastic burden entering soils globally.
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