Analysis of plant growth effects using seedling pots made from paper mill sludges

Abstract

This study was carried out to explore the availability of seedling pots made from paper mill sludge using red pepper species called Nokkwang. The seedling pots were made by several conditions such as different mixing ratios between sludge and old newspaper (ONP), sterilizing treatment and latex coating. After 30 day cultivation in a green house, the growth condition of the red peppers was evaluated by comparison with those raised in the plastics seedling pots. The red peppers in the plastics pot showed a better growth than those in the sludge pots. Sterilizing treatment, latex coating and different mixing ratios between paper sludges and ONP did rarely affect a growth rate of the plant and the contents of inorganic elements. However, latex coating contributed to protection of physical structure of the sludge pots in spite of constant water feeding. Even though some inorganic elements from the sludge pots migrated into the bed soils, electronic conductivity of the bed soils was within the proper range for the plant growth. Finally it was confirmed that the seedling pots made from paper mill sludges could be used to cultivate horticultural plants as the alternative to the plastics pots.