Sustainable waste utilization: possibilities of using banana waste as substrate in seedling production for environmental improvement
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT, vol.27, no.4, pp.1-14, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 27 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s10163-025-02325-1
- Journal Name: JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Compendex, Environment Index, INSPEC, Pollution Abstracts, Civil Engineering Abstracts
- Page Numbers: pp.1-14
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
In this study, it was aimed to determine the possibilities of using banana waste in seedling growing medium (GrM) and to
utilize the waste. 10 different GrM prepared by mixing peat, perlite, vermiculite, banana waste and biochar in different proportions.
At the end of the 63-day trial period, the amount of water retained by the media at different matric potential (|ψ|),
pH and EC values, bulk density, total porosity, macro- and micro-pore percentage were determined. Germination percentage
(GP), seedling height (SH), root length (SRL), stem diameter (SSD), fresh (SFW) and dry (SDW) seedling weight, fresh
(SFRW) and dry (SDRW) root weight, chlorophyll (SC) content and petal leaf width (PLW) were also examined. The best
GP and SRL were obtained in GrM1, while the best SH, SSD, SFW, SFW, SDW, SFRW, SDRW and PLW were obtained in
GrM6. The highest SC value measured in GrM8. The highest pH was determined in GrM2, and the highest EC was determined
in GrM4. At 0 kPa, the highest moisture was determined in GrM1, and the lowest moisture was determined in GrM8.
The use of 15% banana waste and 5% biochar in combination with peat as seedling growing medium can improve many
seedling quality parameters and contribute to a waste management strategy.