Author: Mansi Agarwalla
Email:
Tortilla chips and salsa are naturally very tasty, but they can be tastier if they contain ingredients that are grown sustainably. The researchers at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley report that cilantro, bell peppers and jalapenos can be grown in recycled glass from discarded bottles, such as beer or soda bottles. A pilot study found that potting soil partially infused with recycled glass fragments accelerated plant growth and reduced the growth of unwanted fungi.
“We’re trying to reduce waste while growing edible vegetables,” said Andreas Quezada, a chemistry doctoral student in the Vanegas Nanoworld lab, who will present the results with the research team at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). “If possible, we can introduce soil-based farming practices to residents of the Rio Grande Valley and across the country.”
In their experiments, the researchers obtained pieces of recycled glass from landfills, crushed them, and then moved them to corners. According to Quezada, the finished product is compact enough that you can pick up the pieces without cutting yourself. In addition, plant roots can easily grow around cracks in glass without injury. In their experiments, the researchers obtained pieces of recycled glass from a landfill glass recycler, crushed them, and then moved them to the corners. In preliminary tests, the researchers evaluated similar soil properties, such as compaction and water retention in three different sizes of glass. They found that a size comparable to a large soil grain allows oxygen to reach the roots and maintains moisture levels sufficient for plant growth. Quezada is currently evaluating the recyclable glass material as a viable soil container. The herb garden grows a variety of plants, from commercial potting soil to 100 percent recycled glass. Pots with more soil contain higher levels of nutrients needed for plant growth, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, than pots with more glass. However, pH levels vary slightly from pot to pot, a side effect because plants thrive in a narrow pH range. Initial results show that plants in recycled bottles grow faster and retain more water than plants grown in 100 percent traditional soil. “Compared to other combinations we tested, a weight fraction of glass and clay particles greater than 50 percent seems to be the best for plant growth,” says Julie Vanegas, a nanomaterial researcher. But the researchers are waiting to see which combination produces the highest yields and tastiest food. Another notable finding is that they developed pots containing 100 percent potting soil for fungi, which slowed plant growth. Teresa Patricia Feria Arroyo, an ecologist and the researchers’ faculty mentor, suggests that the fungus affects the uptake of nutrients by the roots. However, the fungus did not grow in the glass jars containing the recycled material. Investigators are gathering information to find out why. The results are especially promising for Quesada because the research is being conducted without fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides. From her experience in the agricultural sector, she has seen that many of the country’s economies affect people, like her family members, who work or live near farming communities. "I think it's really important to try to minimize the usage of any chemicals that can negatively affect our health," says Quezada. "If we are able to reduce them, and help the community by collecting recyclables, then we can give people a better quality of life."
The research received funding from an Empowering Future Agricultural Scientists grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, as well as a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, which also supports Glass Half Full, the company that supplied the glass particles.
Reference:
- American Chemical Society. (2024, August 21). Pilot study uses recycled glass to grow plants for salsa ingredients. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 24, 2024 from sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240821124454.htm
- Story Source: Materials provided by American Chemical Society.