Letter to the editor regarding the article “Evaluation of the phytotoxicity of conventional and biodegradable plastic bags using seed germination tests“ by Balestri et al., published on Ecological Indicators 102(2019):569–580

Study of the Biodegrability of Degradable/Biodegradable Plastic Material in a Controlled Composting EnvironmentThe objective of this study was to determine the degrability/biodegradability of disposable plastic bags available on the market that are labeled as degradable/biodegradable and those certified as compost. The investigated materials were obtained from chain stores in the Czech Republic and Poland. Seven kinds of bags (commercially available) were used in this study. One of them was a disposable bag made of HDPE and mixed with totally degradable plastic additive (TDPA additive). Another was a disposable made of polyethylene with the addition of pro-oxidant additive (d2w additive). One was labeled as 100% degradable within various periods of time, from three months up to three years, and four were certified as compostable. The test was carried out in a controlled composting environment. The biodisintegration degree of the obtained pieces was evaluated following a modified version of ČSN EN 14806 Norm "Packaging - Preliminary evaluation of the disintegration of the packaging materials under simulated composting conditions in a laboratory scale test" and a modified version of ČSN EN ISO 20200 "Plastics - Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under simulated composting conditions in laboratory-scale test" (ISO 20200:2004). The emphasis was put on determination whether the bags are degradable/biodegradable or not.

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Influence of colorant and film thickness on thermal aging characteristics of oxo-biodegradable plastic bags

10.1063/1.4949613 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Giselle Lou D. Leuterio ◽

Bryan B. Pajarito ◽

Carla Marie C. Domingo ◽

Anna Patricia G. Lim

Keyword(s):

Film Thickness ◽

Thermal Aging ◽

Biodegradable Plastic ◽

Plastic Bags

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Stimulation of Common Cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum) and Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) Seed Germination by Injections of Ethylene into Soil

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500061129 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 28 (5) ◽

pp. 510-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

G. H. Egley

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Laboratory Tests ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽

Redroot Pigweed ◽

Plastic Bags ◽

Viable Seeds ◽

Chamber Studies ◽

Growth Chamber Studies ◽

Stimulation Of

The effects of ethylene upon germination of common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicumWallr.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL.) seeds were studied. In laboratory tests with seeds in sealed flasks in the dark, 10 μl/L ethylene increased germination of redroot pigweed seeds from 7% to 52% at 30 C, and increased germination of large and small common cocklebur seeds from 30% and 0% to 100% and 90% respectively, at 25 C. At least 12 h of exposure to ethylene was necessary for appreciable stimulation of germination. In growth chamber studies with known numbers of seeds in pots of soil, ethylene at 11 kg/ha was injected into the soil, and the pots were enclosed in plastic bags for 24 h. One such injection at 2 weeks after planting, and successive injections at 2, 3, and 4 weeks, significantly increased redroot pigweed seedling emergence, and significantly decreased the numbers of dormant, viable seeds remaining in the soil. When pots were not enclosed, injections did not significantly effect redroot pigweed seeds, but significantly increased common cocklebur seedling emergence and decreased the number of viable common cocklebur seeds remaining in the soil.

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Seed germination at different stratification temperatures and development of Phytelephas macrocarpa Ruiz & Pavón seedlings

Journal of Seed Science ◽

10.1590/2317-1545v39n1166371 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 20-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sidney Alberto do Nascimento Ferreira ◽

Daniel Felipe de Oliveira Gentil

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Seed Dormancy ◽

Seed Viability ◽

Seedling Development ◽

Development Stages ◽

Plastic Bags ◽

Alternating Temperature

Abstract: Phytelephas macrocarpa (ivory palm) is an Amazonian palm vulnerable to exploitation pressure, as its seeds are widely used in regional handicrafts. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of different stratification temperatures in overcoming seed dormancy and to analyze the seedling development stages of this species. In germination under stratification, the seeds were placed in plastic bags containing moistened vermiculite, and maintained at the constant temperatures of 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C, and an alternating temperature from 26 to 40 °C. In the study about the development of seedlings, seeds were sown in vermiculite under plastic cover (growing house), and the evolution of the seedling was evaluated, from the formation of germinative button to the complete blade expansion of the first eophyll. Stratification at alternating temperatures (26 to 40 °C) helped overcoming seed dormancy. Stratification at 25 °C kept the seed viability for nine months. Germination, characterized by the formation of the germinative button took an average of 114 ± 24 days, and the seedling development until the first extended eophyll lasted 244 ± 57 days.

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Aerated water soak increases red oak seed germination and seedling emergence

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x91-175 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 1257-1261 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel K. Struve ◽

Martin F. Dress ◽

Mark A. Bennett

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Red Oak ◽

Germination Capacity ◽

Greenhouse Study ◽

Plastic Bags ◽

Shoot Emergence ◽

Number Of Seeds

Red oak (Quercusrubra L.) acorns were collected from three trees in September, placed in plastic bags, and held at 2 °C for 150 days. Acorns were given 0-, 10-, or 14-day aerated water soaks before germination tests were conducted. Acorns from two trees, given a 14-day soak, had significantly higher germination capacity and uniformity than untreated acorns. In another test, acorns were given a 10-day aerated water soak treatment and returned to 2 °C for 30 and 60 days. After 30 days, treated acorns had superior germination compared with untreated acorns. After 60 days, there were no significant differences in germination between treated and untreated acorns. In a greenhouse study, acorns given an aerated water soak had higher shoot-emergence capacity than untreated acorns. However, the aerated water soak treatment did not increase seedling efficiency, the ratio between the number of plantable seedlings and the number of seeds sown.

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