Effect of adhesive application on the physical and chemical properties of rice biomass seedling raising trays

Objective To study the effect of adhesives in the forming process of seedling tray and explore the effect of different applied amounts of glue on the physical and chemical properties of rice seedling tray.

Method Straw and cow dung were fermented at a mass ratio of 6:4, and the products were used as biodegradable biological substrates. The self-synthesized modified starch adhesives, characterized by its weak acidity, high adhesive strength, and excellent water resistance, was incorporated into the formulation. Concurrently, nutritional elements were introduced and thoroughly mixed. Then, the rice seedling tray was fabricated through low-pressure molding at a pressure of 2−3 MPa, followed by dryness findlization after maintaining the pressure for 5−7 min. Single factor ANOVA was used to analyze the effects of different applied amounts glue on the biodegradation rate, volume expansion rate, moisture content and shear strength of seedling raising tray.

Result The optimal applied amount of glue was 21% of the total mass of the seedling raising tray, and the resulting seedling raising tray had biodegradation rate of 82%, shear strength of 0.07 MPa, moisture content of 12.5% and volume expansion rate of 56%.

Conclusion Compared to commercially available seedling trays, the prepared rice seedling trays reduce the amount of glue used, improved water resistance, reduce molding pressure and temperature, shorten molding time, and are biodegradable, meeting the requirements for rice seedling trays. This provides technical support for the industrial production of biomass seedling raising trays, offers a new avenue for the high-value utilization of straw and cow dung, and promots the quality production of seedlings.