Using Cotton Straw To "Transform" High-Quality Biological Substrate Can Play A Greening Role In Desert

Recently, the steam explosion technology developed by Xinjiang Xuze Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Xuze Biotechnology") has been applied in a photovoltaic base built on the Gobi in Manas County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, where many cotton stalks are turned into treasure: after a series of technical means, cotton stalks have become high-quality biological matrix, It can play a greening role in desert.

It is understood that Xinjiang's cotton output accounts for more than 90% of the country's total, and the annual collection of cotton straw can reach 10 million tons. However, as the main by-product of cotton planting, the high-value processing and utilization technology and measures of cotton straw are not yet mature. At present, most of the cotton straw is still directly crushed and returned to the field. 　

Xuze Biology has successfully developed the steam blasting technology with the goal of realizing the high value utilization of cotton straw. According to the relevant person in charge of Xuze Biology, this technology can destroy the tight cell wall structure of cotton straw, thus releasing the sugar, protein, minerals and other nutrients in the straw, and ultimately transforming the tissue structure of the straw from a compact state to a fluffy and porous fiber state.

"We add water and seeds to this fluffy porous fiber, mix it and spray it to form a growth matrix layer of about 2cm in the desert. After about 5 days, the seeds germinate buds, and after 20 days, the roots can extend downward about 10cm, connecting the sand and the matrix layer well. This can not only conserve water and moisture, but also have a good sand fixation effect." Xu Ze biological related responsible person said.

Recently, the cotton straw processing production line of Xuze Biology has been completed and put into production in the Small and Micro Enterprises Pioneer Park of Changji Agricultural High tech Zone. One production line can handle 40 tons of cotton straw per day, filling the gap of high-value utilization of cotton straw in Xinjiang.

Li Shengyu, senior engineer of Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, evaluated that, compared with the traditional grass grid sand fixation, the growth matrix made of cotton straw has good water retention performance, which can reduce soil water evaporation while achieving effective sand fixation, and plays an important role in desertification prevention and vegetation restoration, It has the potential of large-scale promotion.

The steam explosion technology can also realize the physical wall breaking of raw materials, and separate the three major components of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, effectively reduce the gossypol and pesticide residues in cotton straw, can greatly improve the palatability, digestibility and safety of cotton straw as forage, and is expected to help solve the problem of forage shortage in Xinjiang.

In addition, after commissioning, the production line can also be used for the treatment of Xinjiang characteristic cash crops such as stevia, cistanche, licorice, xanthoceras sorbifolia, etc., further expanding the application scope of steam blasting technology and improving its economic value.