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Coco Peat a Wonder Substrate- Production, Quality Management and Ap...

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Coco Peat a Wonder Substrate- Production, Quality Management and Applications


7:20 AM 24/6/2012

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Coco peat is made of Coir pith, a cork like material of Coconut husk. Till recently, Coir pith was considered a waste product in the Coir Industry and was disposed by dumping in marshy land and sometime in rivers and lakes. This practice caused severe environmental problems and badly affected marine life. Coir pith contains high percentage of Tannin and Lignin which prevents decomposition. If coir pith is not treated/processed, the material will not decompose for long years causing severe environmental problem in the coir factories. In fact, lot of factories had to close down due to want of space to dump coir pith. The Dutch, pioneers in cultivating flowers and vegetables under controlled conditions (Greenhouse Cultivation), are always on the look out for new planting medias (substrates). Peat moss was the main planting media used till in the recent past. They also developed Rock wool which is widely used in the U.S., U.K., Europe and developing countries. Both the substrates are not recognized as friendly products. Peat moss being a mined product faces strong resistance in Europe for ecological reasons. United Kingdom has initiated closing down Peat Mines and is considering a total ban in mining and usage of Peat moss by 2010. Rock wool slabs are popular among greenhouse growers for convenience in handling and also able to get higher yield. But disposal of Rock wool slabs is a major problem due to strict environment protection enforced in Europe. Comparing to both the above substrates, Coco peat is considered to be the most friendly and convenient product as substrate in protected cultivation. Coco peat is totally organic, eco-friendly, biodegradable and produced out of renewable resource. But growers have a cause of worry in using Coco peat due to presence of high salt, which would kill high value crops due to reverse osmosis. So, it is absolutely essential to wash coir pith several times with good water, treat with Calcium Nitrate wherever required and compress into bales (5:1 ratio) after removing foreign materials. Strict quality control measures like proper factory hygiene, ensuring Electrical Conductivity less than 1 Ms/Cm. by checking the samples in a laboratory at every stage of production and so on. Steam sterilization and fumigation is a must when coco peat is supplied to grow high cost crop seedlings. Though Nematode is not a major problem in coco peat, it can stick to the surface of the coco peat bales. So, fumigation with Methyl Bromide/Aluminum Phosphate should be done without fail before stuffed into the container. The coco peat manufactures should clearly understand the requirement of growers like the crop they grow whether in the greenhouse or in the open field agro climatic conditions etc to provide the best coco peat product required by the grower. Value adding with macro/micro plant nutrients can also be attempted if one is able to understand the initial nutrient requirement of the crop. But absolute care has to be taken to avoid excess nutrients which will instantly kill the sensitive seedlings. Because of low cost of production, lot of small scale industries have come up with production of coco peat without understanding the ultimate use of the product and also the severe damage caused to the grower due to improper quality management in the factory. Benefits of Coco peat as a Substrate/Soil Conditioner High moisture retention Improves physical & biological condition of soil and improves aeration Reduces frequency of irrigation Enhances strong and healthy root system Better yield. Contains natural enzymes, humus and plant nutrients, holds and provides water and nutrients as required Reduces soil temperature Hydroponics crop production using Coco peat offers the opportunity to consistently

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6/24/12 7:25 AM

Coco Peat a Wonder Substrate- Production, Quality Management and Ap...

http://www.oriculturetoday.in/coco-peat-a-wonder-substrate.html.html

maximize yield and quality with minimal environmental impact associated with utilization of renewable resource. The high water holding capacity provides a buffer in high temperatures and high crop load demand without compromising air supply. The presence of organic compounds in coco peat can stimulate root growth and offer some natural resistance to plant disease apart from providing built in macro/micro plant nutrients. Since coco peat do not decompose immediately, if used as soil conditioner, would remain in the soil for 4 to 5 years and as substrate (soil less media), it can be used for 3 to 4 years. Since water retaining capacity of Coco peat is very high, the plant nutrient solution will not move away from the root zone which would improve healthy root formation. Cucumber growers in Europe received higher yield when grown in grow bags made out of Coco peat. Growers should adopt proper irrigation management and should avoid excess watering. Usage of COCOPEAT Coco peat can be used for a wide range of hydroponics crop production including tomato, cucumber, egg plant, capsicum, zucchini, strawberry, melons, carnation, rose, gerbera, gypsophila, lisianthus, chrysanthemum etc. Growing hydroponically with Coco peat can be done in specialized containers, pots, grow cubes or grow bags. Coco peat in grow bags arrests evaporation of water apart from preventing weed growth. About the Author Shivdas B Menon is an Agricultural Engineer, Managing Director of Sterling Farm Research & Services Pvt. Ltd., Cochin. Sterling Farm was responsible for developing Coco peat products according to International Standards in India way back in 1989. Neopeat - Green Isle Grow Bag, the Company's branded Coco peat products are marketed in India and abroad extensively

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