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2611
Journal of Chemical Health Risks
www.jchr.org
JCHR (2024) 14(3), 2611-2622 | ISSN:2251-6727
Comparative Analysis of Cocopeat and Soil on Plant Constituents
Vailina Dsouza1, Puja1, Rithika R1, Malathi R*
1Department of Life Science, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous), k. Narayanapura, kothanur P.O., Bengaluru, 560077,
Karnataka, India.
(Received: 04 February 2024 Revised: 11 March 2024 Accepted: 08 April 2024)
KEYWORDS
Growing media,
plant growth,
growth
performance,
cocopeat, soil, dirt-
free media,
infertile topsoil.
ABSTRACT:
Overuse of chemical fertilizers shows interference with biological components of the soil, hence
resulting in soil acidification, stunning growth of the plant, altered pH of the soil, growth of pests,
and, dense release of greenhouses in the environment. This further increases the concentration of
harmful ions in soil and inhibits crop growth leading to a decline in soil fertility. The objectives of the
study were to examine the effect of different growing media on a selected plant model (finger millet).
Growing media were the combination of 100% topsoil, 100% cocopeat, and 50:50% topsoil +
cocopeat. After 3 months of assessment, excellent growth performance was shown by the 50:50%
topsoil + cocopeat growth media, the minimum recorded in 100% soil growth media.
1. Introduction
The Domestication of crops has embarked on an
evolutionary transition right from the Darwinian period
(1). Soil fertility is an essential parameter in plant
growth. Soil provides nutrients and physical conditions
for plant growth & fructification (2). Hence, soil fertility
inspection is of much importance. High agricultural
production requires detailed knowledge of soil, its
quality, and its fertility(3). Over-exploitation of the soil
leads to the depletion of topsoil, decrease in groundwater
level, groundwater contamination, pollution of gases,
and the outbreak of several diseases. Decline in soil
fertility, results in an overall loss of land productivity,
leading to soil degradation (4).Several factors lead to soil
degradation: industrial, commercial & agricultural
pollution; overgrazing, unsustainable agricultural
practices & urban expansion; and long-term climate
changes that have caused a consequential impact on
human health (5). Amidst this, several technological
developments emerged with a positive impact, but they
also have considerable costs. These include the decline
of family farms, negligence about the living and working
conditions of agricultural workers, new threats to human
health and safety, and the breakdown of rural
communities. According to a report by the United
Nations (UN), nearly 1/3rd of the world's agricultural
region has vanished in just the last four decades and if the
current rate of losses continues, it is predicted that all of
the world's topsoil could become infertile within 60
years. Drastic changes in the environment, mainly the
changes that are seen in the climate, even though climate
change is a persistent process over the years on the earth
the rate of this imbalance has increased in greater
manifolds which has brought about severe effects on the
quality of the soil due to uneven precipitation distribution
over the years, and extreme conditions like drought, etc.
Scarcity of water and extreme weather conditions reduce
the fertility of soil leading to a loss in the yield of crop
production which has now become visible(6) (7).
statistical analysis put forth by the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) in the year 2016 showed that if there
is a continuous change in the climate as per the current
conditions there will be a total decline in the production
of various major crops by the year 2100 (8). Urbanization
also largely results in the loss of productivity due to the
paving of soil, the ongoing urbanization will lead to the
causes a huge total loss of 65% by 2040 (9)(10). Overuse
of chemical fertilizers shows interference with biological
components of the soil, hence resulting in soil
acidification, stunning growth of the plant, altered pH of
the soil, growth of pests, and, dense release of
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JCHR (2024) 14(3), 2611-2622 | ISSN:2251-6727
greenhouses in the environment. This further increases
the concentration of harmful ions in soil and inhibits crop
growth leading to a decline in soil fertility (11). Fig 1
shows the current situation of the total fertility of the soil
throughout the world.
Fig 1: global soil degradation; source:
globalagriculture.org
Soil is a non-renewable resource, hence increased
exploitation of the soil thereby, encouraging the usage of
soilless materials in the production of horticultural crops.
Several growing media have been found that include
sand, perlite, rock wool, sawdust, cocopeat, compost,
etc., which are suitable for the cultivation of high-value
crops due to their properties like strong water holding
capacity, good aeration, and accumulation of balanced
nutrients. One of the widely available dirt-free materials
in the tropics is coconut dust commercially known as
cocopeat/coir dust (12). A member of the Aracaceae
family, Cocos nucifera L., is a palm tree that is
commercially exploited to provide a variety of products.
The brown coir pith comes from mature coconuts. Due
to its peak C:N ratio and higher lignin residues, the
delayed degradation prevents it from being used as a
direct organic matter. The by-product of the coconut
husk fiber-cocopeat can therefore be used as an
alternative to the soil in organic farming. The natural
fibre cocopeat has a distinct pH, aeration, and good
water-absorbing capacity with sufficient nutrients.
Cocopeat is extensively being used as an alternative to
the soil in horticulture (13). Amongst all of the different
types of growing media cocopeat shows better results
when used solely or in combination with different growth
media for high-value crops (14)(15). As in tropical
regions, coconuts (Cocos nucifera L.) are present in an
abundant amount in the pacific islands. Cocopeat has
been produced and selected as a growing media.
Coconut coir along with peat has been used as media for
the production of lettuce, Ipomoea aquatica, tomato, and
various ornamental plants (16). Cocopeat has been used
in combination with vermicompost and showed good
results for selecting growing media, growers depend on
locally available, less expensive, and reliable substrates
(17). Coco pith offers many advantages as growing
media and also resembles Sphagnum peat moss and is
commercially known as cocopeat. As the demand for
commercial horticulture increases there is a reduction in
the availability of Sphagnum peat due to the exploitation
of peat areas. Cocopeat has been replacing Sphagnum
peat in horticulture as it is recognized as an ideal soil
improver and a component of soilless container media.
Coco Pith-based media gives a proper microenvironment
for the root region and has shown enhancement in height,
number of leaves, and fresh biomass during plant growth.
A clear determining factor for a plant’s health condition
is an increased level of physiochemical components such
as an increase in total phenolic content, higher amounts
of nitrate, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and Vitamin C. Due
to the loss of the nutrients present in the soil, the optimum
growth(15)of the healthy plant is at risk. Plants grown in
Cocopeat-based growing media have shown better
biochemical compositions and nutrients in leaves.
Hence, cocopeat is an ideal alternative in tropical areas
since coconuts are abundant in the tropics that otherwise
would be wasted and it is best suited for soil conditioning
(14)(18). The use of cocopeat for plant production helps
in soil remediation, and mulch and leads to a renewable
and sustainable system.
In this present study, a comparative analysis between the
cocopeat and soil is performed to understand its effect on
the complete growth of a selected plant model (finger
millet) by examining the different plant constituents
(physiochemical parameters). A comparative analysis of
the constituents of the cocopeat and soil was also
examined.
Elusine coracana, a finger millet inheriting from the
family of Poaceae, commonly termed as ragi is rich in
Iron, phosphorous, calcium, fiber, and vitamin content is
chosen as a plant model due to its ability to grow faster,
the seeds germinate within 24 hours and complete growth
of the plant can be seen within 2 weeks. To determine
the different plant constituents, cocopeat, cocopeat +
soil, and soil was used as a growing medium.
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The selected physicochemical parameters to be
examined are - relative water content, total protein
content, total sugar content, total chlorophyll content,
and ascorbic acid.
pH – The” potential of hydrogen” is used to determine
whether the substance is acidic or basic. The pH of the
growing media for different plant species plays a critical
role that greatly influences the biogeochemical actions
that in turn help in a suitable environment for the growth
of the plant. The activity of microorganisms including
the solubility of nutrients and their availability produce
some of the chief processes which are pH dependent. As
an illustration, soils containing acid have a dense number
of macronutrients that are accessible to plants rather than
soil that is neutral-alkaline, which later favours growth in
plants (19).
Chlorophyll is the pigment that imparts the green colour
to plants and is involved in photosynthesis by absorption
of light at different wavelengths, thus the amount of
chlorophyll also reflects the photosynthetic capability
and plant’s health condition.
The chlorophyll cycle involves a metabolic pathway seen
in algae and plants involved in the conversion of
intermediates chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b catalyzed by
Rieske-type oxygenase. The chlorophyll enzymes for the
metabolic process are regulated by a Light-harvesting
Complex (LHS) and this is uncoupled to the core of
photosynthesis. The degeneration of chlorophyll takes
place during the time of ageing of leaves and the
development of fruit (20)(21). The diverse effect of
precipitates influences the chloroplast’s phytochemical
activity. The synthesis of chlorophyll might fall into the
effect of temperature (22).
The total chlorophyll content was estimated
spectrophotometrically.
Fig 2: Effect of chlorophyll in the survival of the plant;
source: nature.com
Protein is one of the primary metabolites which helps in
providing growth and acts as an energy component along
with carbohydrates and lipids (23). The protein content
was estimated by a UV spectrophotometric method by
Lowry’s method. BSA (Bovine serum albumin) was used
as a standard reagent and hence the unknown protein was
determined.
Saccharides play a vital role in the growth and
development of the plant by acting in various ways to
give structure and also act as a storage component and
also form intermediates of many metabolic pathways. It
helps in the defence pathways of the plants (24)(25).
Fig 3: Metabolism of sugar plays a vital role in plant
growth and development; source: researchgate.net
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid plays an essential
role in the growth of the plant. It can function as a redox
buffer, a co-factor for different enzymes that are involved
in photosynthesis regulations, biosynthesis of hormones,
and generation of antioxidants acid (26). This is
determined by the process of titration using Indophenol
dye.
2. Methods
➢ Preparation of cocopeat:
The cocopeat was prepared by the following process:
The coir like fibres of the coconut husk were first
collected in bulk and dried. Later the Outer layer of the
husk was peeled. After skinning the husk of the coconut,
they were further sieved using an iron mesh. The husk
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sieved was obtained in the form of fine texture, which in
addition was soaked with water and sundried
subsequently.
The resulting mixture termed cocopeat was thus used as
a growing medium for plantation.
Fig 4: Shredded coconut husk
Fig 5: Cocopeat
➢ Preparation of planting:
The planting mechanism was done sequentially:
The plant chosen to be planted was Ragi, a finger millet
which is rich in high fiber content and amino acids. These
seeds of Ragi were first soaked for an hour or so. Further,
the seeds sunken inside were used to plant, while the ones
floating on top were discarded.
These seeds were thus planted into three growing
mediums – 100% soil, 100% cocopeat, and 50:50% soil
+ cocopeat.
Fig 6: soaked ragi seeds planted in 3 different growth
media.
Fig 7: Initial growth of the ragi plant potted in 3
different growth media; 100% soil, 100% cocopeat, and
50:50% soil + cocopeat respectively.
Fig 8: Mature grown ragi plants in 3 different growth
media; 100 % soil, 100% cocopeat, 50:50 % soil +
cocopeat respectively.
Determination Of Biochemical Properties Of The
Selected Plant Model Finger Millet Grown In 3 Types
Of Growing Media:100% Cocopeat, 50:50% Soil +
Cocopeat, And 100% Soil
The selected biochemical parameters are Relative water
content, Total protein content, Total reducing sugar,
Total chlorophyll, and Ascorbic acid.
Using these properties, the suitability of all 3 growing
media was tested.
1. Relative water content:
- Principle: Leaf Relative water content is a
measure of plant water status and directly reflects crop
growth and development by affecting photosynthesis.
- Procedure: For the estimation of water content,
3g of fresh leaves were taken and weighed to obtain fresh
weight (FW) then leaves were immersed in water for 24
hours which was later used to get turgid weight (TW).
Leaves were oven-dried for 48 hours and were weighed
again to measure dry weight (DW).
Relative water content was calculated by the formula.
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2. Estimation of Total Chlorophyll:
- Principle: Chlorophylls extractions are
performed using different organic solvents such as
ethanol, acetone, and methanol. Chlorophyll in its
chemical nature is fat-soluble. Organic solvents take up
the water that is interacting with the chlorophyll, the lipid
bonds between the chlorophyll and the thylakoid are
broken by the use of 80% acetone that suspends the
pigment in the solution.
- Reagents: 80% Acetone
- Procedure: 3g of fresh leaves were taken out
from the respective media pots and homogenized with
10mL of 80% acetone, the same was incubated for 15
minutes. The sample was later centrifuged at 2500rpm
for 3 minutes. Spectrophotometrically the optical density
was noted (645nm, 663nm) for both chlorophyll a and
chlorophyll b respectively. Optical Density (CT) of the
total chlorophyll is the sum of chlorophyll a (D645) and
chlorophyll b (D663)
Total leaf chlorophyll was calculated: Total
chlorophyll (mg/g DW) =
3. Estimation of total Phenolic content:
- Principle: phenol present in the sample reacts
and reduces FC reagent to molybdenum – tungsten blue.
The colour blue colour developed is measured at 760nm
using a spectrophotometer.
- Reagent: Folin – Ciocalteu reagent (FCR),
sodium bicarbonate, gallic acid
- Procedure: For sample preparation, 1g of plant
leaves were taken and homogenized with distilled water
and subjected to centrifugation for 5 minutes at 3000rpm
supernatant was used for future analysis. 1mL of FC
reagent and 5mL of distilled water were mixed with 1mL
of supernatant from the extract in a volumetric flask.
1mL of sodium carbonate was added after 5 minutes and
shaken vigorously, and the final mixture was kept for
incubation in dark conditions for 60 minutes at room
temperature. The coloured developed was measured at
760 nm using a UV spectrophotometer against a blank of
(1mL Na2CO3 + 6mL distilled water) and total phenolic
content was calculated from the calibration curve of
standard gallic acid (10-250 mg/L) and expressed as mg
gallic acid equivalent (TAE) per gram dry extract weight.
4. Estimation of Sugar content by DNSA
Method:
- Principle: 3, 5-Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS)
reacts with the free carbonyl group (C=O) present on the
reducing sugars. oxidation of the aldehyde functional
group and the ketone functional, dinitro salicylic acid
gets reduced to 3- amino5-nitrosalicylic acid (ANSA)
and converted to a reddish-brown coloured solution.
-
- Reagents:
i. DNS reagent
ii. Stock standard sugar solution:100 mg of
glucose in water and make up the volume to 100 mL.
iii. Working standard solution: Take 50 mL from
this stock solution and make up the volume to 100 mL.
- Preparation of plant extract: 0.5g media
sample was taken, grounded, and centrifuged at 3000rpm
for 5 minutes. The supernatant was transferred into a
fresh tube and the pellet was dissolved with 80% ethanol
was centrifugated again, and the supernatant was
subjected to evaporation. The evaporated sample was
diluted with distilled water and 1mL of the sample was
used for further estimation of sugar by DNS method.
- Procedure: 0.2 to 1 ml of working standard was
taken in different tubes marked as S1 to S5 and volume
was made up to 2 ml with distilled water. A suitable
blank is also made using distilled water.1 ml of DNS
reagent was added to all the tubes followed by heating all
the tubes in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. The same
procedure was applied to the 3 test samples and the
amount of reducing sugar present in the test samples was
estimated colorimetrically (absorbance at 540 nm) by
plotting a standard graph for glucose using the DNS
method.
5. Estimation of protein by Lowry’s method:
- Principle: The principle behind this method is,
peptide nitrogen reacts with copper ions under alkaline
conditions and subsequent reduction of Folin-Ciocalteu
phosphomolybdic acid to molybdenum blue by oxidation
of aromatic acids.
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- Reagents:
i. Solution A: 2% Sodium Carbonate dissolved in 0. 1N
Sodium Hydroxide.
ii. Solution B :0.5% Copper Sulphate dissolved in 1%
potassium sodium tartrate.
iii. Alkaline Copper solution C: 50 ml of A and 1 ml is
mixed
iv. Folin-Ciocalteu Reagent
v. Stock Standard: 100 mg of bovine serum albumin is
dissolved in distilled water and makes up the volume to
100 ml.
vi. Working Standard: 20 ml of the stock solution is used
(200ug/ml)
- Procedure:
1. In clean and dry test tubes pipette out 0.2, 0.4 to 1 ml
of the working standard.
2. Volume in all the test tubes was made up to 1 ml by
adding of distilled water. A tube with 1 ml of water
serves as the blank.
3. To all tubes which include the blank 5 ml of reagent
“C” is added and incubated in the dark for 10 minutes.
4. 0.5 ml of FC reagent is pipetted out in all the tubes
and kept for the second round of incubation, in the
dark for 30 min.
5. Colorimetrically the color thus developed is read at
660 nanometers.
the amount of protein in the sample is estimated by
plotting a standard curve graph.
- For unknown sample: -
- Preparation of plant extract: - 0.5 g of leaves
were taken and grounded well with 5-10 ml of phosphate
buffered saline sample was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for
5 minutes and supernatant was used for further
estimation.1mL of supernatant was taken, 5mL of
alkaline copper sulfate added to it, and allowed to stand
for 1 hour. Finally, 0.5 ml FC reagent was added to the
sample and was incubated for 20 minutes at room
temperature. The blue colour developed was measured.
The standard curve of Bovine Serum Albumin was
plotted and used for calculating the amount of protein in
the sample.
6. Estimation of Ascorbic acid content using 2,6
–dichlorophenolindophenol.
- Principle: Ascorbic acid is a reducing agent,
when 2,6 dichlorophenol indophenol is treated with
ascorbic acid, blue colour dye is reduced to pale pink
colour. Ascorbic acid itself oxidized to dehydroascorbic
acid. The titrations were carried out in the presence of
4% oxalic acid to inhibit aerobic oxidation.
- Reagents Required:
• Standard dye- 2,6 dichlorophenolindophenol
• Stock ascorbic acid solution –100 mg /100 ml
• Working standard solution: -10 ml of stock is
diluted to 100 ml using 4% oxalic acid
• 4% oxalic acid
- Procedure:
i. Titration I – standardization of dye using standard
Ascorbic acid
Pipette out 5 ml of working standard solution into a clean
conical flask, to this add 20 ml of 4% oxalic acid and
titrate against dye taken in the burette. The appearance of
a pale pink colour is the end point; titrations were
repeated for concordant values and calculated the dye
equivalents of standard ascorbic acid.
ii. Preparation of sample: - 1g of fresh foliage was
taken in the test tube and 4 ml of extracting solution was
added (oxalic acid, EDTA), and centrifuged at 3000 rpm
for 5 minutes.1 ml of supernatant was taken in another
test tube, to this 1 ml of orthophosphoric + 1 ml of 5%
tetraoxosulphate + 2 ml of ammonium molybdate and 3
ml of distilled water were added and incubated for 15
minutes.
iii. Titration II- Estimation of ascorbic acid using
standardized dye
The given unknown solution is made up to the mark
using 4% oxalic acid, pipette out 5 ml of unknown
solution into a clean conical flask, which is titrated
against standardized dye taken in the burette. The
appearance of a pale pink colour is the end point;
titrations were repeated for concordant values and
calculated the amount of vitamin C present in the given
sample.
7. pH: For the 3 media samples pH was measured
by homogenizing 5g of fresh leaves from respective
media in 50mL deionized water and was filtered with a
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Whatman filter paper. pH was observed by dipping the
pH strips.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Test for the plant
physiochemical components was carried out in triplicate.
All results are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. Statistical
analysis was performed using Student’s t-test. P-values
less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Comparison of physiochemical properties for
cocopeat and soil:
1. Bulk Density
2. PH
3. Calcium
4. phosphorous
5. Water retention
1. Bulk Density: - The bulk density was
determined using a measuring cylinder. An empty 250 ml
measuring cylinder was filled with oven dried sample
and then the sample weight was taken. By using the
following formula bulk density of the growth media was
calculated
Bulk density (g/cc) = (weight of the sample)/
(volume of the sample)
2. pH: -The pH values for cocopeat media and soil
were determined by mixing 2 g of media with 20 ml of
distilled water, agitated for 30 minutes and kept standing
for a few hours. The mixtures were filtered and pH was
measured using a pH meter.
3. Evaluation of calcium content using
titrimetric method
- Principle- When calcium is treated with
ammonium oxalate a white precipitate of calcium oxalate
bound to the chloride ions is formed. Washing the
precipitate with ammonia helps to get rid of the chloride
ions this 1N sulphuric acid is added leading to the
liberation of oxalic acid. The liberated oxalic acid is
evaluated by titrating it against standardised potassium
permanganate. The amount of calcium is directly
proportional to the amount of oxalic acid.
- Reagents Required
- Ammonium oxalate solution (4 %), Ammonia
solution (2%), Potassium permanganate (0.1N), Standard
oxalic acid solution (0.1N), Sulphuric acid (1N)
- Procedure
• Standardisation of Potassium permanganate
To a clean conical flask 10ml of oxalic acid + 10ml of
dilute sulphuric acid is pipetted, and heated to 60 ° C.
This solution is titrated against potassium permanganate
solution that is filled in the burette. The end point is pale
permanent pink colour. The step is repeated for
consonant values.
- Precipitation of calcium oxalate
1. 2ml of growth media sample + 2ml of distilled
water + 1ml of 4 % ammonium oxalate is taken in a
centrifuge tube, and allowed to stand overnight at 4 ° C
for precipitation of calcium to form. After incubation, the
tube is centrifuged and the supernatant is discarded. To
resuspend the pellet 3ml of 2% ammonia is added and
centrifuged. These steps are repeated thrice, the
supernatant is tested for chloride ions.
2. 10 ml of 1N sulphuric acid is added and heated
up for solubilization which is then titrated against
potassium permanganate solution, the following results
are noted. The endpoint is the appearance of a pale
permanent pink colour. The step is repeated for
consonant values the amount of calcium content is then
evaluated.
4. Evaluation of Inorganic Phosphorous
content by using the Fiske-Subarrow method:
- Principle: The solution in which inorganic
phosphorous is to be estimated is treated with acid
molybdate reagent to form phosphorous molybdic acid.
The Molybdenum element of the phosphorous molybdic
acid is reduced by ANSA reagent (Amino Naptho
Sulphuric acid) and is given a blue-coloured compound
which is estimated colorimetrically at 640nm.
- Reagents Required:
1. Standard Phosphorous Solution:
Dissolve 35.1mg of potassium (KH2PO4) dihydrogen
phosphate in 100ml of distilled water and make up to
250ml (80ug/ml)
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Working standard: 8ug/ml
2. Molybdate reagent:
2.5% of ammonium molybdate in 5N H2SO4 (100mL)
3. ANSA Reagent:
10% TCA (in solvent)
- Procedure: Pipette out 0.2 ml to 1 ml of
standard phosphorous solution in a series of test tubes
and mark it as standard (S1 – S5). Pipette out 1ml of
unknown samples and mark them as T1 (cocopeat), and
T2 (soil). Make up the test tube to 1 ml using distilled
water. Take 1 ml of distilled water as a blank, and now
add to each test tube the following solution in a
sequential manner.
1. 0.4 ml of 10% TCA.
2. 0.4 ml of molybdate reagent.
3. 0.2 ml of ANSA reagent.
4. 4 ml of distilled water.
Mix well all Test tubes. Keep at room temperature for 5
minutes. Measure the blue colour complex using a
Colorimeter of 640nm. Draw the standard graph with a
concentration of phosphorous on the X-axis and optical
density (OD) on the Y-axis.
5. Water Retention: For measuring water
retention. 0.5 g of media sample was weighed and then
immersed in water for 24 hours. The next day sample was
blotted dried and reweighed sample was kept in a hot
oven dried for 2 days at 70 degrees Celsius and again
weighed to obtain dry weight. The formula used was.
3. Results
Results shown in Table 1 indicate the physiochemical
comparison of the selected parameters (Relative water
content, Total protein content, Total reducing sugar,
Total chlorophyll, and Ascorbic acid) for the ragi plant
grown in different growth media 100% soil, 100%
cocopeat, and 50:50% soil + cocopeat.
Results shown in Table 2 indicate the comparison done
between the components of the soil and the cocopeat,
where the cocopeat itself showed better results as
compared to the soil.
From the results of the study, it was indicated that the
growth of the selected plant model was completely
dependent on the nutrients that were present with the
different growing media.
All the growth media more or less did show good
physical characteristics that are essential for growth. The
maximum concentration for the selected parameters was
recorded for the plant grown in the 50:50 % Soil +
cocopeat growing media, whereas the minimum
concentration was recorded for the plant grown in 100%
soil growth media.
Cocopeat is produced from coconut husks which have
two components: fibers called coir and coir pith which is
the spongy parenchymatous part. Cocopeat has an
excellent air-to-water ratio which makes it a wonderful
growing media because these properties make a healthy
root environment. Moisture is stored in micro sponges of
the coir pith and fibers provide aeration due to the
presence of porosity in the coir as coconut is made of
sclerified tissues, and coconut fibers do not keep much
water content. Several properties of cocopeat makes it an
ideal growing media such as high water holding capacity,
and high moisture content it also provides a preferable
pH between 5.8 - 6.8 making it slightly alkaline, when
used along with soil as a growing media it neutralizes the
soil pH also helps in slow release of the nutrients in turn
providing a proper balance for the growth of plants,
electrical conductivity, bulk density, air-filled porosity,
and high cation exchange capacity allowing it to retain a
high amount of exchangeable sodium (Na), potassium
(K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) (table 2). The
above characteristics make coco peat an ideal use for
increasing the fertility of the soil.
Table-1: Growing media effect on Biochemical
properties of the ragi plant
EXPERIME
NTS
SAMPLE
MEANCONC ±
STANDARD ERROR
(S.E.M)
CHLOROPH
YLL
SOIL
0.361 ± 0.083
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COCO
0.093 ± 0.020
SOIL + COC
O
5.1483 ± 1.925
ASCORBIC
ACID
SOIL
0.966 ± 0.033
COCO
1.433 ± 0.066
SOIL + COC
O
1.8 ± 0.152
SUGAR
SOIL
20.933 ± 7.055
COCO
40.933 ± 1.333
SOIL + COC
O
138.266 ± 17.486
TOTAL PHE
NOL
SOIL
122.950 ± 12.315
COCO
126.130 ± 4.095
SOIL + COC
O
135.210 ± 44.988
TOTAL
PROTEIN
SOIL
1160.888 ± 44.44
COCO
445.33 ± 380
SOIL + COC
0
1220.1 ± 143.053
RWC
SOIL
33.58
COCO
44.66
SOIL +
COCOPEAT
49.45
Table 2 : Comparison of physiochemical properties for
cocopeat and soil:
TESTS
SAMPLES
RESULTS
PH
SOIL
11
COCOPEAT
6.2
BULK DENSITY
SOIL
2.65 g/cm3
COCOPEAT
0.076 g/cm3
WATER
RETENTION
SOIL
20%
COCOPEAT
70.00%
CALCIUM
CONTENT
SOIL
8.5 mg/100ml
COCOPEAT
15 mg/100ml
PHOSPHORUS
CONTENT
SOIL
2.4 mg/100ml
COCOPEAT
8 mg/100 ml
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0.361 0.093
5.148
0.
2.
4.
6.
8.
soil cocopeat soil + cocopeat
CONC mg/100ml
GROWTH MEDIA
Fig 9: Total Chlorophyll Content
4.26
6.26
7.8
0.
2.25
4.5
6.75
9.
soil cocopeat soil + cocopeat
CONC in mg/100ml
GROWTH MEDIA
Fig 10: Ascorbic Content
20.9 40.9
139.
0.
40.
80.
120.
160.
200.
soil cocopeat soil +
cocopeat
CONC in mg/100ml
GROWTH MEDIA
Fig 11: total sugar content
122. 126.1 135.2
0.
47.5
95.
142.5
190.
soil cocopeat soil +
cocopeat
CONC in mg/100ml
GROWTH MEDIA
Fig 12: TOTAL PHENOL CONTENT
1160.88
445.33
1220.1
0.
325.
650.
975.
1300.
soil cocopeat soil +
cocopeat
CONC in mg/100ml
GROWTH MEDIA
Fig 13: total protein content
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4. Discussion
Cocopeat contains certain excellent physiochemical
properties that make it an ideal material that can be used
to help increase the fertility of the Soil. Cocopeat solely
also works as an effective growth media for the growth
of a healthy plant, hence it can be used for various small
plotting plants.
Cocopeat along with different growth media for example
vermicompost can also be used to enhance the fertility of
the soil. Coir also possesses anti-fungal as well as root-
stimulating properties that are resistant to some of the
soil pathogens such as phytophthora.
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