open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/97985

Controlled decay of citric acid cross-linked paperpots for sustainable agriculture

英語

plastic-free

2025-07-20

Taylor & Francis

Soil science and plant nutrition

Paperpots have been introduced as biodegradable containers for agricultural seedlings. Nevertheless, to prevent the premature decomposition of paper by soil microorganisms during seedling growth, these pots are often reinforced with synthetic fibers, chemically modified, or treated with fungicides. However, these interventions result in the retention of non-biodegradable residues in the field post-transplantation. To address this, we studied the controlled decay of decay-resistant citric acid cross-linked paper and evaluated its use for making paperpots for agricultural use. Decay-resistant paper was prepared using citric acid and sodium hypophosphite, followed by heating and alkali treatments. For the control, dimethylol dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU) -treated paper was similarly prepared. The paper's wet tensile strength was assessed after exposure to water, cellulase, and soil biodegradation. Additionally, paperpots were manufactured and used to grow Komatsuna seedlings, with and without alkali treatment, to evaluate the control of biodegradability and the impact on seedling growth. Treating the decay-resistant citric acid cross-linked paper with alkali, such as calcium hydroxide, which is used as often used in agriculture, cleaved the ester bonds formed by the hydroxyl groups of cellulose and citric acid, resulting in a paper that could decompose. Treating Komatsuna seedlings grown in citric acid cross-linked paperpots with alkali treatment resulted in pot decomposition without affecting the growth of Komatsuna. Our results showed that controlled decay of citric acid cross-linked paperpots can be achieved by treating them with an alkaline agent like calcium hydroxide, which is routinely used in agriculture, without affecting plant growth.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Soil science and plant nutrition on 20 Jul 2025, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.2025.2534641

0038-0768