Effects of Corrugated Cardboard-based Media on the Physicochemical Properties and Coverage of Plant

Abstract

The physical and chemical properties of corrugated cardboard-based media were evaluated toassess their suitability as substrates for plants. Samples were collected periodically from thesame study area over 5 months to determine any seasonal variabilities. In addition to thecorrugated cardboard-based media, the rural soil of the study area was used as the control. Thecorrugated cardboard-based media showed adequate levels of moisture content and bulk densityand correspondingly high porosity values when compared with the rural soil. All corrugatedcardboard-based media showed adequate levels of electrical conductivity, organic matter, andcorrespondingly high cation exchange capacity values when compared with the rural soil in allseasons. The C/N ratio of the corrugated cardboard-based media was similar to the optimalvalues of 15-20. However, the pH values of the corrugated cardboard-based media were lowerthan the optimum value(pH 4) for plant growth and rural soil. The moisture content valuewhich cycle bobs up and down according to sampling date, and this means that the moisturecontent is affected by seasonal changes in the components entering the study area. Thecorrugated cardboard-based media appear to be acceptable for growing plants(Lotus corniculatusvar. japonicus). Finally, the use of this media permits better vegetation establishment than theuse of rural soil. Our results prove that corrugated cardboard-based media can exhibit higherplant cover over a long period(September-November) as opposed to rural soil. Our studydemonstrates the effectiveness of corrugated cardboard-based media for plant growth, and werecommend that future studies should focus on potential materials relevant to revegetation andmanagement.