Waste Wool Powder for Promoting Plant Growth by Moisture Retention

Abstract

Natural wastes are widely used as composts for plant growth. However, wool waste has received little attention in this regard, despite its nitrogen-rich chemical structure owing to amide groups. A few studies have been conducted for soil amendment using wool, mostly in raw or pellet form. However, despite the possible consistent mixing and more uniform effect of powders inside soil, wool has never been implemented in powder form in soil for improving moisture. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using wool as a powder, facilitating better mixing and spreading in soil. Results show that wool powders are more effective in retaining soil moisture compared to wool pellets and are comparable to commercial fertiliser. The findings further indicate that a balanced amount of wool is required to maintain a proper moisture level (not too wet or dry) to promote actual plant growth.