Sustainable seedling pots: Development and characterisation of banana waste and natural fibre-reinforced composites for horticultural applications

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 270; no. Pt 1; p. 132070
• Main Authors: Anirudh, M.K., Lal, A.M. Nandhu, Harikrishnan, M.P., Jose, Jijo, Thasim, J., Warrier, Aswin S., Venkatesh, Rangaswamy, Vaddevolu, Uday Bhanu Prakash, Kothakota, Anjineyulu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Agricultural waste valorization; Banana fibre; Biodegradable composites; Natural fibre reinforcement; Plastic alternatives; Seedling pots; Plastic alternatives; Biodegradable composites; Seedling pots; Natural fibre reinforcement; Agricultural waste valorization; Banana fibre
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132070

Plastic pots used in horticultural nurseries generate substantial waste, causing environmental pollution. This study aimed to develop biodegradable composites from banana pseudo-stem reinforced with agricultural residues like pineapple leaves, taro and water hyacinth as eco-friendly substitutes. The aim of this study is to develop optimised banana biocomposite formulations with suitable reinforcements that balance mechanical durability, biodegradation, and seedling growth promotion properties to serve as viable eco-friendly alternatives to plastic seedling pots. This study was carried out by fabricating banana fibre mats through pulping, drying and hot pressing. Composite sheets were reinforced with 50 % pineapple, taro or water hyacinth fibres. The mechanical properties (tensile, yield strength, elongation, bursting strength), hydrophilicity (contact angle, water absorption), biodegradability (soil burial test), and seedling growth promotion were evaluated through appropriate testing methods. The results show that banana-taro composites exhibited suitable tensile strength (25 MPa), elongation (27 %), water uptake (41 %) and 82 % biodegradation in 60 days. It was observed that biodegradable seedling trays fabricated from banana-taro composite showed 95 % tomato seed germination and a 125 cm plant height increase in 30 days, superior to plastic trays. The finding shows that the study demonstrates the potential of banana-taro biocomposites as alternatives to plastic nursery pots, enabling healthy seedling growth while eliminating plastic waste pollution through biodegradation. [Display omitted] •Developed banana pseudo stem-based seedling pots without chemicals or additives, replacing plastic.•Banana-taro composite pots have strong mechanical properties and promote plant growth.•Biodegradable pots provide nutrients and enhance plant growth, unlike plastic pots.•Transforming agricultural waste into biocomposites reduces plastic pollution and boosts plant growth.