A fungal consortium for conversion of coir pith to fermented cocopeat and crop residue to compost
Fermented Cocopeat Production Process
Materials required (for conversion of 1 tonne of coir pith to cocopeat):
*Raw coir pith – 1 tonne * Arka Decomposer – 5 Kgs *Urea – 3.75 Kgs *One silpaulin bag-(250 GSM thickness) measuring 12x4x2 feet
Process: Fix the silpaulin bag in a well-drained area under the shade of a tree along the slope of the ground so that the excess moisture drains out easily. If a natural slope is not available, create a slope to facilitate drainage. Spread 100 Kgs of raw coir pith inside the bag followed by 750 g of urea, moisten the surface with water. Avoid excess watering. Over this layer, spread another 100 Kgs of raw coir pith followed by 1 Kg of Arka Decomposer and moisten it lightly. Repeat the process with alternate layers of urea and Arka Decomposer, till the bag is full (8-10 layers depending on the initial moisture content of the raw coir pith) Maintain the moisture levels at around 50-60 % by light watering. Make sure that excess moisture is not present and the drainage pores of the bag are not clogged. At the end of 10 days, turn the entire substrate thoroughly, with adequate care to ensure that unfermented pockets (as evidenced by brick red coloration) do not exist. Repeat the turning on the 20th day and continue mild watering as suggested above. On completion of 30 days when the fermented cocopeat appears as a dark brown mass, enrich it with one Kg of the carrier based “Arka Microbial Consortium”, prepared in good quality water @ 20 g/l. The enriched substrate is kept overnight for stabilization of the microbes and can be subsequently used for raising of vegetable seedlings, soilless cultivation of fruits and vegetables. To enrich one tone of the fermented cocopeat one Kg of AMC is required. To grow vegetables in containers/growbags fermented cocopeat and any good quality organic manure can be mixed in 1:1 ratio.
Materials required for composting of one tonne of crop residue
*One tonne of crop residue *Urea Solution-3.0 Kgs in 50 litres of water (or) Cattle Dung Slurry * Arka Decomposer – 5.0 Kgs
Procedure for wind row formation and composting using Arka Decomposer:
The location selected for the wind row composting should be in a shade preferably under a tree. Avoid a location with direct sunlight and rain. Ensure that a water source is located nearby since watering of the pile is essential. Remove all plastics and other non-biodegradable materials from the material to be composted. It is preferable to chop the materials, particularly the woody material, to small bit (2-3 cm size) for rapid composting. Form windrows in applying Arka Decomposer and Urea solution / Cattle dung slurry alternating with each other till the height reaches about 1-1.8 meter height. Sprinkle water over the compost pile to attain about 50-60 % moisture. Do not add excess water in order to avoid anaerobic pockets. Turn the windrows pile at 10 – 20 day intervals and heap again and reform to provide aeration for the microbes. The composting process gets over in 30 to 90 days depending upon the material. Once the compost turns dark brown in colour and gives out an earthy odour, it is ready for usage. Well prepared compost has almost 1 % of the three major nutrients viz., N, P and K. It is advisable to enrich the compost with one liter/one Kg of Arka Microbial Consortium” per ton of compost during the last turning.
Storage Instructions
- Do not mix with pesticides, herbicides and inorganic fertilizers
- Store in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight
- Keep away from children and pets
- Shake well before use
Handling Instructions: Use gloves and masks while handling the Arka Decomposer formulation
Availability: 1 kg. pack @ Rs.105/- and 5 kg. pack @ Rs.525/-.
Shelf Life: 6 months from the date of manufacture
For further details, please contact
Dr.G.Selvakumar,
Principal Scientist,
Division of Natural Resource Management,
ICAR-IIHR, Hesaraghatta Lake Post,
Bengaluru 560089.
Phone: 080-28446815/23086100 Ext No.328
Email: selvakumar.g@icar.gov.in