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<p>In response to the growing demand for agricultural products and the increasing constraints on natural resources, the valorization of agricultural residues offers a sustainable approach to seedling production. Heavy dependence on imported media such as cocopeat increases production costs and limits local sustainability. This study developed Jiffy pellets from sugarcane by-products and evaluated their physical, hydraulic, and agronomic properties as an alternative substrate for cucumber seedlings. Bagasse and filter cake were combined with perlite, compost, and cocopeat in various formulations, alongside two controls (agricultural soil and imported cocopeat). Physical traits (bulk density, total porosity, shrinkage ratio) and hydraulic traits (water holding capacity, aeration porosity, water retention curves) were assessed. Formulations B80-P20, B80-F20, and B70-F20-P10 significantly reduced bulk density (0.11 g/cm<sup>3</sup>) and increased porosity (up to 90%) compared to soil (1.45 g/cm<sup>3</sup> and 45%), showing superior physical quality. Although B100 had high water holding capacity (0.51 cm<sup>3</sup>/cm<sup>3</sup>), rapid moisture loss indicated poor hydraulic behavior. Bagasse–perlite blends achieved the best balance between water retention and aeration. ANOVA (P &lt; 0.01) showed significant effects on plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number. B70-F20-P10 had the highest plant height (214.4 mm), stem diameter (3.4 mm), leaf number (6.73), and fresh weight (1.42 g), with production costs 91.99% lower than imported cocopeat. B80-F20 also performed well in plant height (194.8 mm), stem diameter (2.83 mm), and fresh weight (1.33 g). Conversely, B80-P20, despite favorable physical properties, was unsuitable agronomically. While cocopeat control performed competitively in dry weight (0.34 g) and root length (57.93 mm), B70-F20-P10 outperformed it in most growth parameters. Overall, B70-F20-P10 emerged as the most sustainable, cost-effective, and locally adapted alternative to imported media, excelling in physical, hydraulic, and agronomic traits.</p>

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Jiffy Pellets from Sugarcane Waste: A Novel Substrate for Seedling Production

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月12日

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  • Hamed Gahrouei,
  • Mahmoud Ghasemi-Nejad-Raeini,
  • Navab Kazemi,
  • Bijan Khalili Moghadam,
  • Mohammad Reza Zare Bavani

摘要

In response to the growing demand for agricultural products and the increasing constraints on natural resources, the valorization of agricultural residues offers a sustainable approach to seedling production. Heavy dependence on imported media such as cocopeat increases production costs and limits local sustainability. This study developed Jiffy pellets from sugarcane by-products and evaluated their physical, hydraulic, and agronomic properties as an alternative substrate for cucumber seedlings. Bagasse and filter cake were combined with perlite, compost, and cocopeat in various formulations, alongside two controls (agricultural soil and imported cocopeat). Physical traits (bulk density, total porosity, shrinkage ratio) and hydraulic traits (water holding capacity, aeration porosity, water retention curves) were assessed. Formulations B80-P20, B80-F20, and B70-F20-P10 significantly reduced bulk density (0.11 g/cm3) and increased porosity (up to 90%) compared to soil (1.45 g/cm3 and 45%), showing superior physical quality. Although B100 had high water holding capacity (0.51 cm3/cm3), rapid moisture loss indicated poor hydraulic behavior. Bagasse–perlite blends achieved the best balance between water retention and aeration. ANOVA (P < 0.01) showed significant effects on plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number. B70-F20-P10 had the highest plant height (214.4 mm), stem diameter (3.4 mm), leaf number (6.73), and fresh weight (1.42 g), with production costs 91.99% lower than imported cocopeat. B80-F20 also performed well in plant height (194.8 mm), stem diameter (2.83 mm), and fresh weight (1.33 g). Conversely, B80-P20, despite favorable physical properties, was unsuitable agronomically. While cocopeat control performed competitively in dry weight (0.34 g) and root length (57.93 mm), B70-F20-P10 outperformed it in most growth parameters. Overall, B70-F20-P10 emerged as the most sustainable, cost-effective, and locally adapted alternative to imported media, excelling in physical, hydraulic, and agronomic traits.