Technical and financial feasibility of using plastic poles for chayote production [Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz]

Abstract

Objective: Assess the technical and financial feasibility of using recycled plastic posts for chayote production.

Design/methodology/approach: A pergola for chayote (Sechium edule) requires large number of wooden posts. A minute pegola for research was set, deploying a one plant array of 8mX8m. It mounts nine recycled plastic posts and 8 scales were placed to trace weight down crop biomass throughout production season. Plastic poles are a single piece of 2.5m high, with a square section of 92.52mm and weight of 16.26 kg. A five years financial probe was undertaken in order to appraise the building one hectarea pergola by employing different load bearing posts: sole wood, sole concrete and sole recycled plastic.

Results: Physical pole status showed no cracks or bends when bearing an average load of 200kg through production season. Current interest rate, capital expenditure and operation costs figures were utilized for the financial analysis, only varying poles. Results showed that benefit-cost ratio and internal rate return were suited for plastic poles. Each Mexican peso invested had a return of $0.79, compared to $0.72 obtained from wooden poles, while their internal rate return figure was almost 3 times the actual current rate.

Limitations on study/implications: The recycled plastic posts are marketed for ornate and aesthetic adornments and to erect property boundaries´ barriers. As such, there is not a formal test for loading resistance certificate.

Findings/conclusions: The recycled plastic posts can substitute wood posts in chayote’s pergolas. Therefore, they should progressively replace wooden poles.