Production of jiffy pellets from sugarcane waste as a novel substrate: Evaluation of chemical properties and its application in seedling production

• Sugarcane waste-based pellets (B70-F20-P10) matched cocopeat in seedling growth metrics. • B80-F20 and B70-F20-P10 showed optimal chemical profiles with high CEC and low EC. • Pure compost (C100) and B100 treatments inhibited growth due to salinity and imbalance. • Locally sourced residues provided cost-effective, sustainable alternatives to imported media. • Perlite inclusion improved aeration and nutrient balance, enhancing seedling development. To address the growing demand for sustainable agriculture and reduce reliance on imported substrates like cocopeat, this study investigated the use of sugarcane waste as a locally available alternative for seedling production. In 2024, a series of laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to develop jiffy pellets using combinations of bagasse, filter cake, perlite, compost, and cocopeat. These treatments were assessed against two controls (agricultural soil and pure cocopeat). Key chemical indicators including electrical conductivity (EC), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon, total nitrogen, and C/N ratio were measured. Analysis of variance revealed that substrate type significantly influenced all chemical parameters (p < 0.01). Treatments B100 and B80-F20 demonstrated favorable chemical profiles, characterized by high CEC (∼31 meq/100g) and low EC (0.93 and 1.25 dS/m), thereby promoting effective root nutrition. In contrast, treatment C100 was found unsuitable due to high salinity (EC = 4.25 dS/m). The pH values across all treatments ranged from 5.15 to 5.6. Among them, B70-F20-P10 emerged as the chemically optimal formulation, with a balanced pH, moderate EC (1.31 dS/m), and relatively high CEC (∼26–28 meq/100g). Regarding tomato seedling traits, B70-F20-P10 achieved performance comparable to cocopeat, recording a plant height of 120.87 mm, stem diameter of 2.03 mm, leaf count of 14.73, root length of 36.73 mm, fresh weight of 1.12 g, and dry weight of 0.35 g. B80-F20 also demonstrated superior performance across most growth indicators. Conversely, although agricultural soil supported germination, its vegetative growth was limited, while treatments such as B100, C100, and B80-P20 showed negligible growth. Based on chemical and agronomic evaluations, B70-F20-P10 is recommended as a sustainable, locally-sourced alternative to imported media in sugarcane-producing regions.