Influence factors on quality and properties of straw blocks and cost analyses

In order to study the quality and properties of straw block (SB), five crops straw materials were used to product SB, and the product forming rate, strength, seedling breeding effect and cost were evaluated and analyzed through experiments. Results showed that forming rate of machine-molding, water absorption, emergence rate and process cost of SB increased with the increase of straw grinding fineness, but breakage rate and root growth decreased. Forming rate of SB mainly related to grinding fitness, while breakage rate, water absorption and seedling quality related to both types of materials and grinding fitness. Among the 5 materials, SB from perilla stalk was best in product quality and seedling effect while SB from corn stalk had the lowest process costs. Therefore, SB from corn stalk and perilla stalk were suitable in production.