Development of the Artificial Lightweight Soil Using Spent Mushroom Substrates and Superabsorbent Polymer

Abstract

This study is about making artificial soil for wall greening using Spent Mushroom substrates (SMS) & Superabsorbent polymer (SAP). and developing new material for wall greening whilst monitoring the physico-chemistry & germination ability of the plant, plant growth and developmental condition of the artificial soil. It was found that the larger the particle size of the superabsorbent polymer the more absorption increased. This showed the plant’s germination rate in soil when Spent Mushroom substrates & Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) were mixed. In the Bermuda grass, the Artificial soil (SMS & SAP 0.5%) showed a 100% germination rate over a period exceeding 7 days compared to Peat-moss that showed a 94% germination rate. In the Kentucky blue grass, however, there was no difference between the Peat-moss and Artificial soil. When general perlite soil was compared with artificial soil in the chicory seed, the Artificial soil showed better results than the general perlite soil in length, leaf volume and fresh-weight. In the plant length, it showed an increase of over 105% (SAP 0.5% or more), 187% (SAP 1% or more). in the leaf volume, an increase of over 123% (SAP 0.5% or more), 145% (SAP 1% or more), in the fresh-weight an increase of over 130% (SAP 0.5% or more), 285% (SAP 1% or more). The artificial soil (SMS & SAP 1%) showed an excellent result in the plant growth and development. Thus, it was found that artificial soil using the SMS & SAP were the only suitable soil materials for wall greening hence suggesting that it could be used for the greening of a blighted area or desert and a variety of agriculture.