Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2009 Horticultural evaluation of zein-based bioplastic containers Matthew tS even Helgeson Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the Horticulture Commons Recommended Citation Helgeson, Matthew Steven, "Horticultural evaluation of zein-based bioplastic containers" (2009). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 10554. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/10554 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Horticultural evaluation of zein-based bioplastic containers by Matthew Steven Helgeson A thesis submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Major: Horticulture Program of Study Committee: William R. Graves, Major Professor Richard J. Gladon David Grewell Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2009 Copyright © Matthew Steven Helgeson, 2009. All rights reserved. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT iii CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Introduction 1 Thesis Organization 2 Literature Review 2 Literature Cited 8 CHAPTER 2. DEGRADATION AND NITROGEN RELEASE OF ZEIN-BASED 11 BIOPLASTIC CONTAINERS Abstract 11 Significance to the Nursery Industry 12 Introduction 13 Materials and Methods 15 Results and Discussion 18 Literature Cited 24 CHAPTER 3. ZEIN-BASED BIOPLASTIC CONTAINERS ALTER ROOT-ZONE 31 CHEMISTRY AND GROWTH OF GERANIUM Abstract 31 Significance to the Nursery Industry 32 Introduction 33 Materials and Methods 35 Results and Discussion 40 Literature Cited 47 CHAPTER 4.