Coconut Coir - My Farming Secrets My Farming Secrets Associate Professor University of Florida In 1949, E. P. Hume wrote an article in the journal Economic Botany extolling the horticultural virtues of a by-product of the coconut husk fiber processing industry. Coir is the name given to the fibrous material that constitutes the thick mesocarp (middle layer) of the coconut fruit (Cocos nucifera). The long fibers of coir are extracted from the coconut husk and utilized in the manufacture of brushes, automobile seat and mattress stuffing, drainage pipe filters, twine and other products. Traditionally, the short fibers (2mm or less) and dust ("pith") left behind have accumulated as a waste product for which no industrial use had been discovered. Hume write of the excellent growth obtained with various plants when this coir dust or, as he called it, "cocopeat," was used as the growing medium (this word has now been registered as a trademark by one manufacturer of the material).

Hume was a prophet before his time more Uri Roudman from Pelemix August 29, 2013 "Coco coir ideal substrate to propagate citrus trees in greenhouse" Citrus tree propagation in a cocopeat hydroponic growing system emerged from the idea to get a plant that does not suffer stress in the transplant from the nursery to the field. "Today this practice is being implemented by more citrus nurseries in The USA," said Uri Roudman from Pelemix. "The catalyst for the use of coir is the citrus greening disease that is threatening the US citrus production." Spreading of the disease in Florida and California has called for rapid action by the agricultural and plant protection agencies and today all commercial nurseries in the USA are required to grow indoors in controlled greenhouse environments providing isolation from contamination for new trees. This new growing system has challenged the nursery growers to rapidly adapt to the new situation and growing conditions, the first challenge is how to grow a good quality tree in this new environment. Coir seemed to be a substrate that could help them to propagate a tree with following properties. Excellent root health No stress when transferred to the field and no post – planting stress.

Less plantation losses due to lower pressure coming from transport, handling, planting and plant acclimatization. High uniformity in the nursery and in the field. A robust root ball (filled absorbent hairs that enshrine the coir) that can be planted at any time of year. Ideal for replanting and dubbing, done at any time of the year. Minimum stress during transport because the root ball - which still contains water and nutrients – makes reserves available to the plant and allows the plant to be fed for a considerable period of time. Exportable product. Coir that makes up the root ball plant passes phytosanitary requirements of customs. The plant can stay longer "above ground" due to the autonomy that provides the root ball, so incidence involving plantation problems (rains that preclude, lack of labor, mechanical failures, ... ) are lower with this type of plant. It avoids the typical “J” rooting that takes place when it’s in a pot. Once planted in the field, the root grows quickly in all directions.

more Coco Coir Directions Grow on YouTube Video Festival treat ...A highlight of the fair is a stall of the Coir Board that has showcased flower pots, plant climbers and hanging pots, all made of coir. “These pots retain moisture for a long time compared to the common flower pots,” says a salesperson at the stall. more Coir in Raised Beds YouTube Video Peat Moss Alternative on YouTube Video Note: Coco Coir is no longer available at the Home Depot Coir Advertisement on YouTube Video BY URBAN GARDEN MAGAZINE ⋅ FEBRUARY 10, 2011 Grow. Bloom. Harvest. Dump all that media. Buy a load more. And start all over again. It’s a cycle that many of us, as indoor gardeners, are all too familiar with. Whether you choose to grow in soil, coco coir, rockwool, clay balls or soilless mix, chances are, when the crop’s been chopped, invariably it’s back to your local grow store to reload with fresh media. However, it turns out that lots of indoor growers (especially those growing short-cycle plants) choose a different route. In short, they reuse their growing media!

And before you think this is just the preserve of penny-pinching hippies, it turns out that it’s not all about saving a few dollars – it could increase your yields too! Aha, there we go … increased yields … that’s all we needed to say wasn’t it? What is Coco Coir? more how Peat is formed on YouTube Video More about peat on YouTube Video Coir Channel on YouTube Video Why not pea?t on YouTube Video Source: Linda McMahan CORVALLIS, Ore. – Generations of gardeners have recognized the benefits of adding peat moss to garden and potting soil. Although it has little nutrient value, it's a good soil amendment. It lightens the soil, allows air to enter, holds moisture without being soggy and generally improves soil structure. But most gardeners probably don't realize that peat takes hundreds of years to form, explained Linda McMahan, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. Wetland ecologists say that peat is being harvested at non-sustainable rates.

While the peat industry argues that peatlands can be managed at sustainable levels, it recognizes that alternatives to peat must be developed in order to meet environmental concerns of consumers and contend with increased regulation of peatland exploitation. As useful as peat is for horticulture, there are good alternatives, said McMahan. One substitute is coir, or coconut dust. When coconuts are harvested and husked, the long fibers are removed and used for such things as upholstery stuffing, rope, doormats, and brushes. The short fibers are left over and have found use in horticulture as coconut "peat." more As a plant growing medium Coco coir is much better than peat moss. With rising concerns regarding destruction of ecology, BioActive Cocopeat is a better alternative to using peat moss.

Coconut Fiber | Coir Products Exporters | Coconut Coir Suppliers| coir mats exporters|coir door mats manufacturers|coir geo textiles|Indian Coir Fiber exporter Exporters of Coir and Coir Products Coconut Fiber | Coir Products Exporters | Coconut Coir Suppliers| coir mats exporters|coir door mats manufacturers|coir geo textiles|Indian Coir Fiber exporter Exporters of Coir and Coir Products I Kumar / Chinnaswamy C.E.O. No fix. No fee. Guaranteed 7 days a week Our Products COIR BALE COIR is a versatile natural fibre extracted from mesocarp tissue, or husk of the coconut fruit Generally fibre is of ... COCO PEAT Coco Peat or Coir Pith is the granular material having uniform cylindrically opened cells with foam like structure an... COIR ROPE COIR ROPE / Coir Yarn is generally of 2 ply, spun from coir fibre by hand as well as with the help of traditional rat... COIR FIBER The immature husks are suspended in a river or water-filled pit for up to ten months. During this time micro-organism...

TURMERIC In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent and remedy for gastrointestinal discomfo... WHITE RICE White rice is the name given to milled rice that has had its husk, bran, and germ removed. This alters the flavour, t... Coconut fiber Coconut fiber Coconut fiber belongs to the category fibers/fibrous materials, which are classified as follows [24]: Plant hairs: Stalk fibers from dicotyledonous plants (soft fibers): Flax, ramie (fine spinnable fibers) Hemp, jute, kenaf (coarse spinnable fibers) Leaf fibers from monocotyledonous plants (hard fibers): Sisal, Manila hemp, palm fibers (poor spinning characteristics) Bast: Basketwork material: Coconut fiber, rattan cane, halfa, piassava, esparto Coconut fiber is obtained from the fibrous husk (mesocarp) of the coconut (Cocos nucifera) from the coconut palm, which belongs to the palm family (Palmae). Coconut fiber has a high lignin content and thus a low cellulose content, as a result of which it is resilient, strong and highly durable.

The remarkable lightness of the fibers is due to the cavities arising from the dried out sieve cells. Coconut fiber is the only fruit fiber usable in the textile industry. Coir is obtained by retting for up to 10 months in water followed by sun-drying. Once dry, the fiber is graded into "bristle" fiber (combed, approx. 20 - 40 cm long) and "mattress" fiber (random fibers, approx. 2 - 10 cm long). Quality / Duration of storage The best grade fibers are light in color, gold-yellow (fiber from not yet completely ripened nuts) or brown (fiber from ripe nuts). An excessively high water content within the bales results in self-heating and decay during long voyages. A moisture measurement must therefore be carried out before accepting the consignment and moisture-damaged bales must be rejected. Subject to compliance with the appropriate temperature and moisture conditions, duration of storage is not a limiting factor as regards transport and storage life. Intended use Coconut fiber is used to produce hawsers, ropes, cords, runners, mats, brooms, brushes, paint brushes and as stuffing for mattresses and upholstered furniture.

Figures (Click on the individual Figures to enlarge them.) Figure 1 RF Ventilation Coconut fiber requires particular temperature, humidity/moisture and possibly ventilation conditions (SC VI) (storage climate conditions) . If the product is loaded for shipment in a dry state, it does not have any particular ventilation requirements. Problems arise if the product, packaging and/or ceiling/flooring are too damp. In this case, the following ventilation measures should be implemented: Air exchange rate: 10 changes/hour (airing) Since coconut fiber very readily absorbs oxygen, before anybody enters the hold, it must be ventilated and, if necessary, a gas measurement carried out, since a shortage of oxygen may endanger life. RF Biotic activity Coconut fiber displays 3rd order biotic activity . They belong to the class of goods in which respiration processes are suspended, but in which biochemical, microbial and other decomposition processes still proceed. RF Gases Coconut fiber very readily absorbs oxygen. An oxygen shortage may therefore arise in closed holds and containers. Before anybody enters such holds, the holds must be ventilated and, if necessary, a gas measurement carried out. The increase in CO2 and CO content indicates a cargo fire.

The TLV of the hold air is 0.49 vol.%. RF Self-heating / Spontaneous combustion Coconut fiber has an oil content of 2 - 5% (coconut oil). Coconut fiber is assigned to Class 4.1 of the IMDG Code (Flammable solids). However, its specific characteristics and negative external influences (see below) may cause them to behave like a substance from Class 4.2 (Substances liable to spontaneous combustion) of the IMDG Code or ADR. Its high cellulose content makes coconut fiber particularly liable to catch fire through external ignition. Therefore, protection from sparks, fire, naked lights and lit cigarettes must always be provided. Smoking is absolutely prohibited. Sparks may arise from bursting or chafing of the steel straps (and also as a result of inadequate cargo securing in the hold or container) and cause a cargo fire. Lightly compressed bales in particular ignite easily, while strongly hydraulically compressed bales rarely catch fire because they are so compact. In accordance with the IMDG Code, ventilation openings leading into the hold should be provided with spark-proof wire cloth.

Spontaneous combustion may occur as a result of exposure to moisture, animal and vegetable fats/oils, oil-bearing seeds/fruits, copra and raw wool. This risk is further increased by the coconut oil present in coconut fiber. Coconut fiber is very highly susceptible to self-heating due to moisture. Bales compressed in an excessively moist condition are at risk of heating during extended voyages and storage, with the result being decay rather than spontaneous combustion. It is usually "mattress" fibers which are affected in this way, due to the vegetable flesh still adhering the fibers. Fire-fighting is best performed using CO2 or foam. It is very difficult to extinguish a fire because of the excess of oxygen in the coconut fiber, which maintains the fire from the inside. When fighting a fire, do not break the steel straps or open the bales, since relieving the compression increases the oxygen supply and makes it impossible to fight the fire effectively. Water must not be used for fire-fighting, as this results in damage to the product.

How coir is made - material, making, history, used, processing, product, industry, machine, History Coir Background What is commonly called a coconut, as found in grocery stores, is actually only the single seed of a fruit of the coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera). Before being shipped to market, the seed is stripped of an external leathery skin and a 2-3 in (5-8 cm) thick intermediate layer of fibrous pulp. Fibers recovered from that pulp are called coir. The fibers range from sturdy strands suitable for brush bristles to filaments that can be spun into coarse, durable yarn. In the United States, the most popular uses for coir are bristly door mats, agricultural twine, and geotextiles (blankets that are laid on bare soil to control erosion and promote the growth of protective ground covers). Although coconut palms grow throughout the world's tropical regions, the vast majority of the commercially produced coir comes from India and Sri Lanka. Coconuts are primarily a food crop.

In India, which produces about one-fourth of the world's 55 billion coconuts each year, only 15% of the husk fibers are actually recovered for use. India annually produces about 309,000 short tons (280,000 metric tons) of coir fiber. Coir fibers are categorized in two ways. One distinction is based on whether they are recovered from ripe or immature coconut husks. The husks of fully ripened coconuts yield brown coir. Strong and highly resistant to abrasion, its method of processing also protects it from the damaging ultraviolet component of sunlight. Dark brown in color, it is used primarily in brushes, floor mats, and upholstery padding. On the other hand, white coir comes from the husks of coconuts harvested shortly before they ripen. Actually light brown or white in color, this fiber is softer and less strong than brown coir. It is usually spun into yarn, which may be woven into mats or twisted into twine or rope. The other method of categorization is based on fiber length.

Both brown and white coir consist of fibers ranging in length from 4-12 in (10-30 cm). Those that are at least 8 in (20 cm) long are called bristle fiber. Shorter fibers, which are also finer in texture, are called mattress fiber. A 10-oz (300-g) coconut husk yields about 3 oz (80 g) of fiber, one-third of which is bristle fiber. The only natural fiber resistant to salt water, coir is used to make nets for shellfish harvesting and ropes for marine applications. Highly resistant to abrasion, coir fibers are used to make durable floor mats and brushes. Strong and nearly impervious to the weather, coir twine is the material hops growers in the United States prefer for tying their vines to supports. Coir is becoming a popular choice for making geotextiles because of its durability, eventual biodegrad-ability, ability to hold water, and hairy texture (which helps it cling to seeds and soil). History Palm trees belong to one of the world's oldest plant families, and coconut palms have been cultivated for at least 4,000 years.

In Sanskrit, the precursor of the modern languages of Hindi and Urdu, the coconut palm was called "the tree that provides all the necessities of life." In fact, it is one of the world's most useful trees, providing food, drink, fibers, fuel, and building material. Coconut fruits are very hardy; they can even float in the ocean for great distances and still remain viable. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, the coconut palm spread throughout The inside layers of the fruit from a coconut palm. the tropics either naturally or by human travel and trade. About A.D. 60, a Greek sailor wrote about a coconut-producing East African village, probably on the coast of present-day Tanzania, whose boats were made of planks sewn together with fibers. By the eleventh century, Arab traders (whose route stretched from China to Madagascar off the southeastern shore of Africa) were teaching residents of what are now Sri Lanka and India how to extract and process coconut fibers. During the thirteenth century, Marco Polo—while visiting the port of Hormuz on the Persian Gulf—discovered that the masterful Arab seamen built their ships without nails, sewing them together with coconut fiber.

In China, Polo found that the Chinese had been using coconut fiber for 500 years. Halfway around the world, coir also played a significant role in the exploration of Micronesia and Polynesia, where the product is commonly called sennit. For example, early settlers of Hawaii arrived from the Marquesas Islands around the fifth century in a large, double-hulled canoe lashed together with coconut fiber. In fact, sennit lashings were the primary mechanism for connecting pieces to construct boats, buildings, weapons, and tools until European explorers brought iron nails to the region in the late eighteenth century. Coir production changed little until efforts to mechanize it began in the middle of the twentieth century. In India, a defibering machine was invented in 1950. Coir processing is an important economic activity in India, where it provides jobs for more than 500,000 people. Because mechanization would eliminate a significant number of those jobs, it is being introduced gradually. In 1980, the primary producing countries of India and Sri Lanka began an ongoing effort to identify and correct technological limitations on coir production. Raw Materials Coconut palms flower monthly.

Because it takes a year for the fruit to ripen, a tree always contains fruits at 12 stages of maturity. Harvesting usually take place on a 45-60 day cycle, with each tree yielding 50-100 coconuts per year. Fresh water is used to process brown coir, while sea water and fresh water are both used in the production of white coir. In 2000, researchers announced that adding a broth containing a certain combination of 10 anaerobic (living without oxygen) bacteria to salt water can dramatically hasten the fiber extraction process without seriously degrading product quality. In Europe and Asia, brown coir mats may be sprayed with latex rubber for use as padding in mattresses or automobile upholstery. The Manufacturing Process Harvesting and husking 1 Coconuts that have ripened and fallen from the tree may simply be picked up off The outer layers covering the coconut seed are processed and spun into fibers commonly known as coir. the ground. Coconuts still clinging to the 40-100 ft (12-30 m) tall trees are harvested by human climbers.

If the climber picks the fruit by hand, he can harvest fruits from about 25 trees in a day. If the climber uses a bamboo pole with a knife attached to the end to reach through the treetop vegetation and cut selected coconuts loose, he can harvest 250 trees per day. (A third harvesting technique, in which trained monkeys climb trees to pick ripe coconuts, is used only in countries that produce little commercial coir.) 2 Ripe coconuts are husked immediately, but unripe coconuts may be seasoned for a month by spreading them in a single layer on the ground and keeping them dry. To remove the fruit from the seed, the coconut is impaled on a steel-tipped spike to split the husk. The pulp layer is easily peeled off. A skilled husker can manually split and peel about 2,000 coconuts per day. Modern husking machines can process 2,000 coconuts per hour. Retting Retting is a curing process during which the husks are kept in an environment that encourages the action of naturally occurring microbes.

This action partially decomposes the husk's pulp, allowing it to be separated into coir fibers and a residue called coir pith. Freshwater retting is used for fully ripe coconut husks, and saltwater retting is used for green husks. 3 For freshwater retting, ripe husks are buried in pits dug along riverbanks, immersed in water-filled concrete tanks, or suspended by nets in a river and weighted to keep them submerged. The husks typically soak at least six months. 4 For saltwater retting, green husks are soaked in seawater or artificially salinated fresh water. Often this is accomplished by placing them in pits along riverbanks near the ocean, where tidal action alternately covers them with sea water and rinses them with river water. Saltwater retting usually takes eight to 10 months, although adding the proper bacteria to the water can shorten the retting period to a few days. 5 Mechanical techniques have recently been developed to hasten or eliminate retting. Ripe husks can be processed in crushing machines after being retted for only seven to 10 days. Immature husks can be dry milled without any retting.

After passing through the crushing machine, these green husks need only be dampened with water or soaked one to two days before proceeding to the defibering step. Dry milling produces only mattress fiber. Defibering 6 Traditionally, workers beat the retted pulp with wooden mallets to separate the fibers from the pith and the outer skin. In recent years, motorized machines have been developed with flat beater arms operating inside steel drums. Separation of the bristle fibers is accomplished by hand or in a machine consisting of a rotating drum fitted with steel spikes. 7 Separation of the mattress fibers from the pith is completed by washing the residue from the defibering process and combing through it by hand or tumbling it in a perforated drum or sieve. (Saltwater retting produces only mattress fibers.) 8 The clean fibers are spread loosely on the ground to dry in the sun. Finishing 9 Bristle fibers that will not immediately be further processed are rolled and tied into loose bundles for storage or shipment. More mechanized producers may use a hydraulic press to create compact bales. 10 Similarly, mattress fibers may simply be baled with a hydraulic press.

However, if more processing is desired, the fibers are combed with mechanical or manual carding tools, then loosely twisted into a thick yarn (wick), and wound into bundles. Later, the wick can be re-spun into a finer yarn. Techniques vary from simple hand spinning to use of a hand-operated spinning wheel or a fully automated spinning machine. 11 Depending on its intended final use, the yarn may be shipped to customers, or multiple strands may be twisted into twine and bundled for shipment. Both traditional manual techniques and newer mechanical methods are used to braid twine into rope and to weave yarn into mats or nets. 12 For some uses, such as upholstery padding, bristle fiber is loosely spun into yarn and allowed to rest. Then the fibers, which have become curly, are separated. These fibers are lightly felted into mats that are sprayed with latex rubber, dried, and vulcanized (heat treated with sulphur). Byproducts/Waste By weight, coir fibers account for about one-third of the coconut pulp. The other two-thirds, the coir pith (also known as coir dust), has generally been considered a useless waste material.

Although it is biodegradable, it takes 20 years to decompose. Millions of tons sit in huge piles in India and Sri Lanka. During the last half of the 1980s, researchers successfully developed processes to transform coir pith into a mulching, soil treatment, and hydroponic (without soil) growth medium that is used as an alternative to such materials as peat moss and vermiculite. Before being compressed into briquettes for sale, the coir pith is partially decomposed through the action of certain microbes and fungi. An Australian company has also recently begun turning coir pith into an absorbent product used to remediate oil spills. The retting process used in coir fiber production generates significant water pollution. Among the major organic pollutants are pectin, pectosan, fat, tannin, toxic polyphenols, and several types of bacteria including salmonella. Scientists are experimenting with treatment options, and at least one coir manufacturing company claims to be treating its effluent water. The Future As improved technology increases production, industry groups and governmental agencies are actively promoting new uses for coir fiber. Geotextiles is one promising area.

The Indian state of Kerala designated 2000 as Coir Geotextiles Year, which it observed by increasing marketing efforts and supporting research to improve production. The annual world demand for geotextiles is 1.2 billion square yards (1 billion square meters) and growing. Although natural fibers account for only 5% of that, the proportion is expected to increase as more users turn away from nonbiodegradable synthetics. Another new product under development is an alternative to plywood that is made by impregnating a coir mat with phenol formaldehyde resin and curing it under heat and pressure. Where to Learn More Coir | Define Coir at Dictionary.com coir noun 1. the prepared fiber of the husk of the coconut fruit, used in making rope, matting, etc. Origin of coir 1575-85; < Malayalam kayaru cord; replacing cairo < Portuguese < Tamil kayiṟu rope Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for coir Expand Historical Examples coir matting was next the floor boards, then a thick Chinese quilt (a pukai), then a Scotch plaid made in Geelong.

The Sailor's Word-Book William Henry Smyth If a small line could be got across from ship to ship, the end of it would be made fast to a coir hawser in the Monsoon. Pincher Martin, O.D. H. Taprell Dorling They had put a coir warp ashore, and gave the barque a cant in the current, so as to bring the broadside to bear on the flagstaff. Trumpcoir Products (Pvt) Ltd TECHNICAL What is Coco Peat? In 1949, E. P. Hume wrote an article in the journal Economic Botany extolling the horticultural virtues of a by-product of the coconut husk fiber processing industry. Coir is the name given to the fibrous material that constitutes the thick measocarp (middle layer) of the coconut fruit (Cocos nucifera). The long fibers of coir are extracted from the coconut husk and utilized in the manufacture of brushes, automobile seat and mattress stuffing, drainage pipe filters, twine and other products.

Traditionally, the short fibers (2mm or less) and dust ("pith") left behind have accumulated as a waste product for which no industrial use had been discovered. Hume wrote of the excellent growth obtained with various plants when this Coir dust or, as he called it, "coco peat," was used as the growing medium. Hume was a prophet before his time. It is only in the last 10 years that his words of wisdom have percolated through the often conservative ways of international horticulture. In the 1970's and 80's, initial tests in Australia and Europe indicated that coir dust could function remarkably well as a substitute for various peat products in soil less container media for plant growth. Several Dutch companies have in fact been using coconut Coco Peat in production media since the 1980's, and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is currently shifting most of its plant production into Coco Peat-based media. Definition for Coco Peat 'Coir fiber pith' or 'coir dust' or Coco Peat produced as a bi-product when coconut husks are processed for the extraction of the long fibers.

Coco Peat is the binding material that comes from the fiber extraction of the coconut husk. A very Special Grade of Coco Peat is washed, screened and graded before being processed into various Coco Peat products for Horticultural and Agricultural applications. Coco Peat is a multi-purpose soil conditioner and growing medium. Properties of different types of Coco Peat, Coco Peat is very similar to peat in appearance. It is light to dark brown in color and consists primarily of particles in the size range 0.2-2.0 mm (75-90%). Unlike sphagnum peat, there are no sticks or other extraneous matter. Independent analyses of Coco Peat were performed in May and June 1991 at Auburn University, University of Arkansas, and A&L Analytical Laboratories (Memphis, TN). These results are summarized in Tables 1 and 2, and one manufacturer's technical data is also presented. G. C.

Cresswell (1992) looked at Coco Peat in comparison to sedge and sphagnum peat products and concluded that it has superior structural stability, water absorption ability and drainage, and Cation Exchange Capacity compared to either sphagnum peat or sedge peat. Coir Peat tends to be high in both sodium and potassium (Handreck, 1993) compared to the other peats, but Na is leached readily from the material under irrigation (Handreck, 1993). The high levels of potassium present in coir dust are interesting to note, and may actually prove more a benefit than any detriment to plant growth. Coco Peat from sources other than Sri Lanka have also reportedly contained chlorides at levels toxic to many plants, thus it is very important that salinity in the raw material be monitored before processing into a horticultural amendment. It is evident, that chemical properties of this material can vary widely from source to source (Evans et al. 1996).

The higher pH of Coco Peat may allow less lime to be added to a coir dust-based medium, though adding dolomite to container soils is more important for Ca and Mg nutrition than for elevating pH. Properties of various Coco Peat Source Analysis done in Soil Testing Laborotory, Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka,(06.08.2004) ** = Not measured, EC = ms/cm3 Properties of Coir dust normally vary with the type of machine used to de-fiber the coconut husk. There are three major types of coir processed machines available in Sri Lanka. According to visual observation, Coco Peat emanating from the de-fibering machines are the best. Because they have several different types of dust particles which can produce macro as well as micro pores in the media. Normally the Coco Peat is extracted from a process called retting. Retting involves soaking the husk in the water for a certain period until the fiber becomes loose and soft.

The soaking is done in the cement tanks.( But in Sri Lanka most facilities use mud tanks to soak the husk) During the retting process, the husk become soft and a number of substances like carbohydrates, glycosides, tannin and nitrogen compounds are brought into the solution. The carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds are acted upon a great variety of anaerobic organisms, which produce various organic acids and gasses. When the fermentation progresses, the temperature of the husk increases, water become turbid due to gas formation, Lignin and pectin in the middle lamella of the husks slowly dissolves. Subsequently, the rate of fermentation slows down and water becomes clean without the evolution of gasses and the consequent frothing. At this stage the husk are ready for the removal of fibers. The time required for frothing is influenced by the various factors such as the stage of maturity of coconuts, microbial activity in the tanks, weather conditions and nature of the weather. (P.K.Thampan, 1987) The retted husks are beaten in the machines called de-fibering or with wooden mallets (Patti kuttam). Broadly there are two major type of coir fibers.

They are white and brown fiber. White fiber generated through the fresh husks de-fibering, and brownish are from soaked husks. Performances of Coco Peat as growing media Few well designed tests have appeared assessing the performance of Coco Peat as a plant growth medium. Cresswell (1992) compared Coco Peat to both sphagnum and sedge peat as a growing medium for Broccoli, Tomato and Lettuce seedlings. He found earlier germination and greater size and uniformity of seedlings germinated and grown in Coco Peat. Handreck (1993) tested growth of Petunia x hybrida 'Celebrity Salmon' in 5.6:1 (v:v) mixes of either Malaysian coir dust, Sri Lankan Coco Peat, or a sphagnum from Sakhlin, Russia and silica sand. He observed equal growth when all three mixes were adjusted to pH 6 and total plant nutrients were supplied, but varying performance with changes in nutrient regime. He concluded that plants in Coco Peat-based media require more Ca, S, Cu and Fe, but less K, than those grown in peat.

He also observed greater immobilization of soluble nitrogen with Coco Peat than peat moss, an observation confirmed by Cresswell (1992). Trials at Whittle College in England with several woody ornamentals in various Coco Peat blends indicated that Coco Peat performance was comparable to sphagnum peat. Unpublished technical reports from other institutions in England have indicated similar results with a wide range of greenhouse crops. Another experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of Coco Peat as a peat substitute in replicated trials at the University of Florida Fort Lauderdale Research Center (Meerow, 1994, 1995). Ixora, Anthurium, majesty palm, and Pentas were grown in container media that differed only in the peat fraction (40%). One mix utilized sphagnum, the second Florida (sedge) peat, and the third, Coco Peat. The Pentas, Ixora and majesty palm all grew much better in the Coco Peat mix than in sedge. Interestingly, the Anthurium grew almost as well in the sedge peat mix as in the Coco Peat.

The Pentas, majesty palm and Anthurium grew equally well in the Coco Peat medium as in the sphagnum medium. Only the Anthurium showed slightly better top growth in the sphagnum mix. The sedge peat-based medium had the greatest percent air space and the lowest water-holding capacity of the three media at the initiation of the trials, but at termination, showed considerable reversal of these parameters. The Coco Peat-based medium showed the least change in these parameters over time. The higher initial air porosity of the sedge-based medium may have been conducive to better initial root growth of the Anthurium, as this plant is epiphytic in nature. No evidence of Cl or Na toxicity was observed on the plants in this study grown in the Coco Peat-based medium, and conductivity measurements indicated low levels of total dissolved salts. More informally, he had noticed that seeds sown in a 1:1 (v:v) mix of Coco Peat and perlite seem to develop larger root systems than those germinated in 1:1 sphagnum and perlite. Research conducted in Sri lanka. An experiment was conducted by L.H.J.van Holm & M.

Fernando to evaluate the response of Albizia falcataria to dual inoculation with vesicular-arbusculer Mycorrhizea (VAM) and a Rhizobium strain. The potting medium consisted of compost, coir dust, and soil. Previous literature had showed an inhibitive effect of compost on the spread of mycorrhizal infection. An experiment was undertaken to ascertain whether a biological or physiochemical parameter in either of the two organic substrates was inhibitive to VAM fungal spread. All coir dust treatments and autoclaved compost media demonstrated no reduction of colonization compared to the control (Soil), indicating no physiochemical inhibition. They produce a greater colonization percentage at all harvests except the forth harvest in which colonization was reduced in the autoclaved compost medium. Hence coir dust appeared most suitable for the culture of VAM fungi owing to it’s lack of biological inhibition and it’s advantageous physiochemical properties. Normally the use of organic manure as an alternative for expensive imported fertilizers is not popular. Because the amount of nutrients released after decomposition is very slow. It is reported that the microbial activity determines these parameters to a great extent. Therefore investigation was conducted by Dr.K.A.

Nandasena & Mr. L.H.J.van Holm to study the active fraction of soil organic matter & to determine the potential nitrogen mineralization in soil. Rice straw, Coir dust, farm yard manure and Gliricidia sepium leaves were monitored after incorporating in three soils with different contents of organic matter. Organic matter addition increased CO2 production in all materials except in Coco Peat. Increasing the dose of incorporation enhanced the effect. Fresh rice straw Gliricidia sepium had a higher effect than the farm yard manure & Coco Peat. Higher microbial population was observed when Coco Peat was added and the number increased slightly with the dose. Fresh organic matter increased all fractions. But fiber rich Coco Peat enhanced mainly the humic fraction which has very high benefit to live soils. Problems of Coco Peat. Sri Lanka have also reported contained chlorides at levels toxic to many plants, thus it is very important that salinity in the raw material be monitored before processing into a horticultural amendment. It is evident, that chemical properties of this material can vary widely from source to source (Evans et al. 1996).

The higher pH of coir dust may allow less lime to be added to a Coco Peat-based medium, though adding dolomite to container soils is more important for Ca and Mg nutrition than for elevating pH. Cresswell did find that a small amount of nitrogen drawdown (N kept from availability to plants during decomposition of organic amendments low in nitrogen) occurred with Coco Peat, but typical production fertilization practices would likely compensate for the small amount of resulting N loss. At present, it is unclear how else fertilization regimes may need to be adjusted, if at all, in media comprised chiefly of Coco Peat. Coco Peat doesn’t contain enough plant nutrients, hence, immediately farmers may need to add fertilizer to the crop otherwise decomposition of the materials can take place, temporally N deficiency may occur.(M.Arenas & C.S.Vavrina, 2002) Further research has shown that Coco Peat requires pre-treating before its use as a growing medium. Early attempts failed due to the high potassium and sodium content naturally found in the coir dust.

When the growers added calcium or magnesium to the substrate the potassium and sodium was released causing damage to the plant (, media) Remedial actions to overcome the problems in Coco Peat. Washing Most of the Poly-phenolic compounds are easily water-soluble. So by adding more water to the Coco Peat and allow it to drain will wash off most of polyphenolic compounds. Recycling the pounded water Recycling the soaking water at the correct time will be the most economical way to reduce the toxicants in fresh coir dust. So, coir mills should have the facility to recycle water or remove small amount of water from the tank and put new fresh water to balance the volume. Adding some synthetic compounds By adding CaNO3 to the fresh coir dust, it will enhance the calcium level in the product as well as facilitate cation exchange with Ca. So Ca will be absorbed to the colloids & release most of the salts from Coir dust like Na, Fe..etc . Composting the Coco Peat. This will help to increase the nutrient status of the product as well as reduce most of the polyphenolic compounds due to oxidation.

This kind of value added Coco Peat has very big demand in the market because they are pretty close to the mined peat. Comparison of Coir dust & Peat Peat When fresh brownish in color,when older becomes black due to decomposition. Very low in pH ( 4.0 6.5) pH is nearly around 6.0 – 7.0 Very low EC values ( 0.2 – 1.0 ) Fresh once may vary from 0.2 – 2.3 Value-added Coir dusts: Coco Peat contains very high amount of Lignin. Hence Coco Peat takes decades to decompose. Studies by various institutions have resulted in methods to speed up process of decomposition (Lignin reduction) by fungal/ Microbial culture. Coco Peat doesn’t contain enough plant nutrients, hence farmers need to add fertilizer to the crops, otherwise decomposition of the materials will commence, temporally N deficiency may occur. (M.Arenas & C.S.Vavrina, 2002) Further research has shown that Coco Peat requires pre-treating before its use as a growing medium. Early attempts failed due to the high potassium and sodium content naturally found in the coir dust.

When the growers added calcium or magnesium to the substrate the potassium and sodium was released causing damage to the plant (, media) Hence, effective value adding processes should contain suitable measures to keep way from all the above problems of Coco Peat Research by Trump Coir Coco Coir Bricks: Worm Bedding, Compost and Soil Amendment Exclusive | Earth-Friendly Coco Coir for Composting, Planting and More! Carbon-rich coir balances nitrogen-rich kitchen scraps in the compost pile Hydrate these coir bricks for an effective and economical container mix May be added to garden beds to loosen clay soil Pack of 12 bricks Derived from coconut husks, carbon-rich Eco-co® Coir is handy for layering with nitrogen-rich kitchen scraps and lawn clippings in the compost pile, and it makes a good bedding material for worm composters. Our exclusive Eco-co® Coir is also an earth-friendly planting mix for use in pots, planters and window boxes, or as a peat-free alternative when you make your own planting mixes. Unlike other coirs, our Eco-co Coir undergoes a special process to remove salts and to balance the pH for optimal plant growth.

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Question: Coir is the name given to the fibre from which fruit ?
Answer: COCONUT