Assessment of Fermented Rice Straw as Nutritive Substances for Bio-based Plant Pot

Abstract

This research aims to develop bio- based nurseries or plant pots that contain soil nourishment from agricultural waste, namely rice straw. Tapioca starch glue as a binder was mixed with rice straw and then pressed by a hydraulic compression machine to form the sheet. To promote soil nourishment, the straw was fermented. The fermentations with and without enzyme assistance were compared as well as the fermentation time. The tensile strength of the specimens was assessed through a tensile test, revealing a surprising increase in strength with fermentation. The key distinction between the specimens with and without enzyme assistance was the time it took to reach the maximum value. Without the presence of enzyme, the specimens reached a maximum tensile strength of 0. 67 MPa after 7 days of fermentation. For fermentation with enzyme assistance, this value increased to 0. 81 MPa but required 14 days of fermentation to reach its maximum point. Not only the fermentation duration but also the inclusion of enzymes showed a slightly impact on water absorption and water swelling. Spectrophotometry was employed to analyze the value of phosphorus ( P) and potassium ( K) , while the amount of nitrogen ( N) was determined by the Kjeldahl method. As expected, soil nourishment can be promoted by fermentation and boosted by enzymes. The sheet from straw fermented with the enzyme at 21 days gives the
highest soil nourishment, i.e., 17.90%w/w for total K2O, 0.40%w/w for total P2O5, and 1.89%w/w for total N.