Mycelium-based biocomposites represent a novel class of environmentally friendly materials. This study investigated the potential of using Salix psammophila and peanut straw as substrates for cultivating Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum, respectively, to fabricate mycelium-based cushioning materials. The results demonstrated that the Pleurotus ostreatus-based cushion material using Salix psammophila (POSM) outperformed the Ganoderma lucidum-based cushion material using peanut straw (GLPM) in terms of overall performance. Both materials presented optimal comprehensive properties when the cultivation period reached 30 days. Increasing the substrate length enhanced most of the material properties. The resulting density ranged from 0.13 to 0.16 g/cm³, which was higher than that of polystyrene foam. The contact angles of both materials exceeded 120°, whereas their elastic springback rates reached 50.2% and 43.2%, and their thermal conductivities were 0.049 W/m·K and 0.051 W/m·K, respectively. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis revealed that both materials exhibited similar thermal degradation behavior and relatively high thermal stability. These findings align with those of previous studies on mycelium composites and indicate that the physical and mechanical properties of the materials are largely comparable to those of expanded polystyrene (EPS). In conclusion, the developed mycelium-based cushioning materials promote the efficient utilization of agricultural residues and hold promise as a sustainable alternative to EPS, offering broad application prospects in the transportation and packaging sectors.

Optimizing agricultural tire traction is essential for improving field efficiency and minimizing soil degradation. This study examines the influence of lug spacing and vertical load on traction performance using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in ANSYS and the semi-empirical Wong and Preston-Thomas tire model. Simulations were conducted on clay soil under vertical loads of 35 kN, 45 kN, and 55 kN, with varying lug spacings. The results indicate that a 130 mm lug spacing provides the best balance between traction, thrust, and motion resistance. Higher vertical loads intensify soil compaction, leading to reduced thrust generation at 55 kN despite decreased motion resistance. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing lug configurations to enhance traction while mitigating soil compaction. The study contributes to improving tire designs for agricultural machinery, promoting efficiency and sustainability in soil management.

Currently, wood-based panels are mainly made from wood and adhesives containing formaldehyde. With the growing demand for raw materials and increasing concern for human health, the use of residues from annual crops to manufacture binder-free biodegradable biomass boards has attracted increasing interest. The aim of this study was to develop a biodegradable bio-board without any adhesives using eggplant straw fibers. The bio-boards were produced via simple mechanical refinement of eggplant straw fibers and were formed under pressures of 2.0 MPa, 3.5 MPa, 5.0 MPa, 6.5 MPa, and 8.0 MPa. The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the manufactured bio-boards were evaluated. With increasing applied pressure, the bending rupture stress of the bio-boards increased from 27.69 MPa to 45.29 MPa, the tensile rupture stress varied from 12.45 MPa to 24.62 MPa, the water absorption decreased from 91.45% to 88.29%, and the contact angle increased from 89.67° to 90.45°. The bio-boards were subjected to morphological analysis (SEM) and porosity and crystallinity measurements (XRD), and the results indicated that the water absorption of the bio-boards was due to a combination of porosity and crystallinity. The results showed that eggplant straw is suitable for manufacturing bio-boards.

This study explores the development of a biodegradable hydroponic substrate derived from rice straw, aiming to address environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and nutritional challenges in agriculture. Traditional non-biodegradable substrates like rockwool have inherent limitations, while the substrates developed herein offer sustainable alternatives by utilizing agricultural waste. This paper details the comprehensive process of converting rice straw into an effective hydroponic substrate through cutting, soaking, defibrating, compressing, and drying. It also evaluates key physical properties such as density, porosity, and permeability. The results indicate that the rice straw substrate meets hydroponic cultivation standards, with a density range of 0.07–0.1 g/cm³, porosity between 88 and 92%, and saturated permeability ranging from 0.02 to 0.08 cm/s, thus demonstrating its potential as a viable substitute for conventional substrates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM-EDS analysis show that the rice straw substrates exhibit a coarse texture and uniform cellulose particle size. The primary elements identified were carbon (C), oxygen (O), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), and calcium (Ca).