Development of Biodegradable Pots from Coconut Coir and Sunn Hemp for Brassica rapa L. Cultivation
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บทคัดย่อ
This study aimed to develop biodegradable bio-pots from coconut coir and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.)
for cultivating Brassica rapa L. and to evaluate their physical properties and effects on plant growth.
The study also aimed to promote agricultural waste utilization as an alternative approach to reducing PM2.5 pollution caused by open-field burning of agricultural residues. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four bio-pot formulations: 100% coconut coir (T1), coconut coir: sunn hemp at ratios of 75:25 (T2), 50:50 (T3), and 25:75 (T4). Water retention capacity, bulk density, and growth performance of Brassica rapa L. were evaluated over 30 days. Starting from 15 days old to 45 days old. The results showed that T1 and T2 exhibited the highest water retention capacities at 76.47% and 75.68%, respectively. The T2 formulation showed the highest bulk density (0.13 g/cm3). In addition, Brassica rapa L. cultivated in T2 bio-pots tended to exhibit higher dry weight and leaf number compared with other treatments, although no statistically significant differences were observed (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that bio-pots made from coconut coir and sunn hemp at a ratio of 75:25 have potential for agricultural applications and could serve as an environmentally sustainable approach for agricultural waste utilization.
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