One of the Professor Chair Holders of IPB: Organic pots will Substitute Polybag

One of the Professor Chair Holders of the Faculty of Forestry of Bogor Agricultural University, (FAHUTAN IPB), Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Wilarso Budi R, MS, has successfully developed an organic pot whose function is to replace nursery polybags for growing nursery plants. To support nutrient development in soils of low organic material such as degraded forest soil, organic materials can be engineered into organic pots.

" Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded forest lands require requires 4-5 billion tree seedlings within five years. This means that 13-16 million tons of polybags will needed, however we understand that polybag will not decompose quickly, "he said in a pre-scientific press conference at IPB Campus, Dramaga, Bogor, on 3 August 2017.

Organic pot developed by Prof. Wilarso  proves to increase the growth of seedlings and add nutrients to the soil. Another advantage of the  organic pots, they will decompose to be organic fertilizer, because the nutrient content is high enough and does not cause contamination. In addition, the pot is very practical as we can plant it in the field without having to open the pot, thus saving time and can increase the percentage of plant life.

"If using polybags, we have to open the polybags. Consequently, the plant will be  stressful. Organic pots are rapidly decaying or decomposing. So this organic pot has the potential to help plant growth on marginal and degraded lands, "he said. (Wied)