PRODUCTION OF BIO-EXTRACT NATURAL RUBBER NURSERY BAGS MIXED WITH BIO-FERMENTED SOLUTION: STUDY OF PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND PLANT GROWTH TESTING

Abstract

This research aimed to produce bio-extracts from various fruits, develop biodegradable rubber planting bags mixed with bio-extract, and study their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, as well as plant growth performance, in comparison with rubber planting bags without bio-extract and commercial planting bags. The research results showed that the analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) nutrients in various bio-extract formulations did not show statistically significant differences (P≥0.05). However, Formula 1 contained the highest nutrient content and was therefore selected for mixing with rubber to produce bio-extract-enriched planting bags. The NPK content analysis of these bags revealed values of 92.52±0.02, 162.73±0.01, and 412.34±0.02 mg/L, respectively. The study of physical properties found that the rubber planting bags with bio-extract had similar values to those without bio-extract, but higher values than commercial planting bags. For mechanical properties, both types of rubber planting bags showed no significant differences. After being buried in soil for 5 weeks,  the average degradation rate increased. The plant cultivation experiment demonstrated that the Chinese morning glory grown in three different types of seedling bags showed no statistically significant differences (P≥0.05). However, plants grown in rubber seedling bags mixed with bio- extract solution showed the best growth performance, followed by rubber seedling bags without bio- extract solution, and commercial seedling bags, respectively. It can be concluded that rubber seedling bags mixed with bio-extract solution possess suitable properties for practical application, are environmentally safe, and can also serve as a source of nutrients to promote plant growth.