Study on needle punched jute nonwoven as an artificial medium for germination of seed: Effect of bulk density

ABSTRACT

A uniform, porous, and bulky mechanically entangled fibrous sheet, i.e., needle-punched nonwoven, from eco-friendly and natural, low-grade jute fiber, has been designed and engineered to use as an artificial medium for germination of seed in place of soil. Needle-punched nonwoven fabrics of different bulk densities have been prepared from low-grade jute. Bulk densities of needle punched nonwoven fabric can be changed due to change of punch density, area density and depth of needle penetration. In this case, bulk densities of fabric have been achieved by varying the punch densities only, keeping the area density and depth of needle penetration same/ unaltered. As per experimentation, 500 g/m² area density needle punched nonwoven with 0.116 g/cm³ bulk density shows the best quality of germination. This bulk density has been achieved using 160 punches/cm² and 13 mm depth of penetration as per the system applied and fiber used. It may be a good alternative as a medium of cultivation. The design of the bed is also proposed in the article. It is observed that in this artificial system, cultivation can be made in hostile condition and plant growth is better than that in soil. Its moisture-holding capacity and temperature control of medium help in better agriculture. This is highly applicable in the regions where soil is either not available or not suitable for cultivation.

摘要

设计并设计了一种均匀、多孔、体积大的机械缠结纤维薄板，即环保型天然低纤黄麻纤维针刺非织造布，用作种子发芽的人工培养基。用低品位黄麻制备不同密度的针刺非织造布。通过改变冲头密度，保持针入度和针入度相同，可以实现织物的体积密度。在具有0.116×500平方米公称面积密度的黄麻针刺非织造布的情况下，观察到最佳发芽质量。这种密度是根据系统的应用和使用的纤维，使用160冲头/平方厘米和13毫米的穿透深度来实现的。作为栽培媒介，它可能是一个很好的选择。文中还提出了床身的设计。在人工栽培系统中，可在恶劣条件下栽培，植株生长优于土壤。它的持水能力和培养基的温度控制有助于更好的农业，这在没有土壤或不适合耕种的地区是非常适用的。

KEYWORDS:

• Jute
• nonwoven
• artificial medium
• plant growth
• bulk density

关键词:

• 黄麻
• 无纺布
• 人工介质
• 植物的生长
• 体积密度

Acknowledgment

The author is grateful to Dr K K Satapathi, Ex-Director and Mr K Banerjee, Technician of NIRJAFT, Kolkata, for their valuable suggestions and help during the work.