SISAL

About: SISAL is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1878 publications have been published within this topic receiving 55528 citations.

Control of the banana burrowing nematode using sisal extract

Abstract: The nematode Radopholus similis is a major pest in banana plantations worldwide. This nematode is actually controlled using synthetic, toxic nematicides. Alternative control methods are therefore needed. For instance the liquid by-product of fiber extraction from sisal (Agave sisalana) may be used as a nematicide. Here we tested the nematicidal activity of the sisal residue, fresh or fermented, on R. similis in banana plants. We measured immobility and mortality effects by nematode immersion in an aqueous solution of sisal residue for 24 and 48 h. Nematode control was also evaluated in the Grand Naine banana plants under greenhouse conditions using soil amendments of residues. We measured plant growth, pseudostem diameter, the number of leaves, and the dry weight of the aerial parts, corm and roots, as well as factors related to nematode control such as the level of damage, the population of R. similis in roots and soil, and nematode reproduction factors. Our results show that the sisal residue efficiently controlled R. similis in vitro, displaying mortality rates of 99.2 % for the fresh residue. The damage caused by R. similis on plants was similar for the treatment with the sisal residue at a concentration of 25 % and with the nematicide. This is the first report on the nematicidal effect of the sisal liquid residue on the banana burrowing nematode. This by-product presents the potential for the development of new alternatives for nematode control, with a low-cost and low-environmental risk plant nematicide.

Thermal Properties of Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Different Vegetable Fibers

Abstract: Components based on composites reinforced with vegetable fibers have awaked interest in various industrial fields. The thermal properties of fibers, matrix and composite define the temperature limits for application and processing of these materials. In this work, a thermal analyzer TGA was used to evaluate the degradation and thermal events of vegetable fibers (abaca, curaua, fique, sisal, cellulose and in natura fibers from sugarcane bagasse and straw), polypropylene (PP) and PP composites reinforced with 15 wt% fibers. Samples were studied by using 30 to 600°C at 5°C.min-1 flow rate under helium or air atmosphere. TG curves from fibers showed weight loss in multiple stages. Before the thermal degradation peak, the abaca composite was more thermally stable, followed by fique, curaua and sisal composites. Thermal stability of composites was inferior for neat PP; however, it had a significant increase for the fiber.

Dual cantilever creep and recovery behavior of sisal/hemp fibre reinforced hybrid biocomposites: Effects of layering sequence, accelerated weathering and temperature:

Abstract: In this work, the influence of weathering on the creep behavior of the sisal (SSSS), hemp (HHHH), and their hybrid composites (HSSH, and HSHS) was investigated. Composites were exposed to accelerat...

Study on physical and mechanical properties of NFRP hybrid composites

Abstract: The tensile, flexural, impact properties and water absorption tests were carried out using sisal/unsaturated polyester composite material. Initially, optimum fiber length and weight percentage were determined. To improve the tensile, flexural, impact properties, sisal fiber was hybridised with bamboo fiber. This work showed that addition of bamboo fiber in sisal/ unsaturated polyester composites of up to 50% by weight results in increasing the mechanical properties and decreasing the moisture absorption property. Morphological analysis was carried out to observe fracture behaviour and fiber pull-out of the samples using scanning electron microscope.