Research on Hydroponic Cultivation Substrates Made from Rice Straw

Tingting Wu (), Xiulun Wang and Tomoki Inada
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Tingting Wu: Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Japan
Xiulun Wang: Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Japan
Tomoki Inada: Takakita Co., Ltd., Engineering Division G1 Group, Nabari 518-0441, Japan

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: This study explores the development of a biodegradable hydroponic substrate derived from rice straw, aiming to address environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and nutritional challenges in agriculture. Traditional non-biodegradable substrates like rockwool have inherent limitations, while the substrates developed herein offer sustainable alternatives by utilizing agricultural waste. This paper details the comprehensive process of converting rice straw into an effective hydroponic substrate through cutting, soaking, defibrating, compressing, and drying. It also evaluates key physical properties such as density, porosity, and permeability. The results indicate that the rice straw substrate meets hydroponic cultivation standards, with a density range of 0.07–0.1 g/cm 3 , porosity between 88 and 92%, and saturated permeability ranging from 0.02 to 0.08 cm/s, thus demonstrating its potential as a viable substitute for conventional substrates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM-EDS analysis show that the rice straw substrates exhibit a coarse texture and uniform cellulose particle size. The primary elements identified were carbon (C), oxygen (O), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), and calcium (Ca).

Keywords: biomass; rice straw; hydroponic substrate; rockwool (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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