EFFECT OF COMPOSTABLE PLASTIC-DERIVED COMPOST AND COMPOST EXTRACT ON GERMINATION INDEX OF MUSTARD (Brassica nigra), CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus), AND DWARF PAK CHOY (Brassica rapa)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46754/Keywords:
Sustainability, vermicompost, germination index, circular green economy, biopolymerAbstract
The environmental impact of plastic waste has encouraged the integration of biopolymer-based materials into vermicomposting systems to harness their biodegradability and reduce waste generation. Inefficient plastic disposal remains a major environmental concern, underscoring the value of biopolymer recycling as a sustainable approach to minimise pollution and support eco-friendly waste management. However, the potential use of biopolymer-amended vermicast as an agricultural fertiliser or soil amendment remains insufficiently explored. To address this, a 180-day composted vermicast was prepared using bedding, earthworms, kitchen waste, and biopolymer bags. The resulting solid compost and its extract were evaluated alongside three control treatments: Garden soil and its extract as positive controls, and distilled water as a negative control. Furthermore, germination bioassays were performed using Cucumis sativus, Brassica rapa, and Brassica nigra due to their high sensitivity, rapid germination, and distinct root morphology. Five seeds of each species were incubated per treatment on Petri dishes at 25°C for 72 hours, with germination and root elongation recorded every 24 hours. In addition, the Germination Index (GI) values were 82% ± 18.9%, 89% ± 30.6%, and 82% ± 84.2% in solid compost, and 114% ± 23.4%, 77% ± 33.2%, and 37% ± 32.4% in compost extract for C. sativus, B. rapa, and B. nigra, respectively. Overall, no significant differences were observed between treatments and controls, indicating that biopolymer-based vermicast did not inhibit seed germination. These findings also highlight the potential of biopolymer-integrated vermicompost for agricultural use and its contribution to sustainable environmental management.
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