C.K. PADMAJA AND D. LEENA LAVANYA
Abstract
Coir pith is an agrowaste produced as a result of coir fibre extraction from coconut husk. Coir waste was decomposed by Hunzicola grisea Eraaen. After 90 days of decomposition, biochemical parameters like lignin, cellulose, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C:N ratio, phenol, reducing and non-reducing sugars were determined. After 90 days of decomposition, the biochemical parameters showed a drastic change of decrease except Nitrogen. The cellulose, Lignin, Carbon, C:N ratio, Phenol, Reducing sugar and Non- Reducing Sugar content of decomposed coir pith was decreased to 17.45 c/o, 20.47%, 22.79 %, 18:1, 0.58 mg g-1, 0.42 mg g-1, 0.29 mg g-1 and Nitrogen content was increased to 1.28 % respectively. So, the biodegraded coir waste can be used profitably as an organic manure substitute to promote the growth and yield of various crops.