Development of specialty papers is an art: Seed germination paper from indigenous raw materials─ Part XIII

Abstract

A furnish ratio (1:1) of mill pulp having poplar, eucalyptus and bamboo (75:20:05) and softwood is found suitable for manufacturing of seed germination paper. For such paper, water klemn, COP, wet strength, and toxicity tests are the most important properties. The paper should not contain pernicious materials, which can inhibit the growth of roots and plumules of germinating seedlings. However, paper should contain certain chemicals to check the growth of fungi and bacteria but not suppress the disease organisms and growth of seedlings during seed germination test. Calcium hypochlorite dose (7%) is found suitable to clear toxicity test in the laboratory. The laboratory made hand sheets, when compared with specifications prescribed by leading manufacturers of germination paper and BIS specifications, were found promising.