Res. Agr. Eng., 2025, 71(4):247-258 | DOI: 10.17221/116/2025-RAE

Biodegradable seedling pots from sawdust and spent mushroom compostOriginal Paper

Joseph Kofi Conduah ORCID...1, Francis Kumi ORCID...1, Hans Fumba Murangaza2, Seth Osei1
1 Department of Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
2 Department of Soil Sciences, Catholic University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Circular bioeconomy is rapidly gaining ground in the agricultural sector with priority given to the utilisation of more environmentally friendly materials for production and processing. Thus, in this study, biodegradable seedling pots were developed using sawdust (SD) and spent mushroom compost (SMC) as a sustainable alternative to plastic containers. Four pots composed of SMC : SD ratios of 100 : 0, 70 : 30, 60 : 40, and 50 : 50 were developed and evaluated. The mechanical properties, structural characteristics, and water absorption capacity of the pots were assessed and seedlings were made to grow in them to monitor the growth support potential. A universal tensile test machine was used to assess the indirect tensile strength (mechanical properties), while a scanning electron microscope was used to examine the morphology of the samples. Also, images of the seedling roots were segmented and analysed in ImageJ and WinRHIZO software to determine the root system architecture. The results demonstrated that the 60 : 40 ratio exhibited superior performance including having optimal water absorption capacity, indirect tensile strength, and structural properties. The 70 : 30 ratio also showed comparable tensile strength values. However, increasing the SMC content in the pot improved the root developments. This research presents a viable solution for converting agricultural waste into environmentally friendly seedling containers and suggests a potential option for reducing the dependency on plastic pots in agriculture.

Keywords: circular economy; growth; ratios; structure; tensile properties; water absorption

Received: July 19, 2025; Accepted: October 15, 2025; Prepublished online: December 9, 2025; Published: December 16, 2025  Show citation

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Kofi Conduah J, Kumi F, Fumba Murangaza H, Osei S. Biodegradable seedling pots from sawdust and spent mushroom compost. Res. Agr. Eng. 2025;71(4):247-258. doi: 10.17221/116/2025-RAE.
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