Recycled Glass Accelerates Plant Growth For Salsa Ingredients, Research Finds
The research found that Cilantro, bell pepper, and jalapeño plants can grow faster when some of the potting soil is replaced with glass particles. The team is now evaluating the recyclable glass material as a…
The research found that Cilantro, bell pepper, and jalapeño plants can grow faster when some of the potting soil is replaced with glass particles. The team is now evaluating the recyclable glass material as a viable substitute for soil. ANDREA QUEZADA VIA SWNS.
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Recycled glass has been used to grow plants to make salsa.
Coriander, bell pepper, and jalapeno were cultivated in glass from pulverized beer and pop bottles by American scientists.
The pilot study found that partially substituting soil in a planter with recycled glass shards speeds up plant development and reduces unwanted fungal growth.
When nanomaterial scientist Dr. Julie Vanegas joined the faculty at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, she was paired with faculty mentor Professor Teresa Patricia Feria Arroyo, an ecologist who works on solving problems related to food security and sustainability.
During their early conversations, Dr. Vanegas mentioned that she’d been assessing recycled glass particles for coastal restoration projects, such as growing willow trees.
Feria wondered if glass could also be used for growing produce.
Together, they developed experiments for growing foods that people are familiar with, mature quickly, and can be cultivated in container and backyard gardens – the ingredients for pico de gallo: a popular type of salsa.
“We’re trying to reduce landfill waste at the same time as growing edible vegetables,” said Andrea Quezada, a chemistry graduate student in the Nanoworld Vanegas lab.
“If this is viable, then we might be able to introduce glass-based soils into agricultural practices for people here in the Rio Grande Valley and across the country.”
