Substitution of urea with fungi and nitrogen fixing bacteria for composting coir pith.

摘要

Coir pith can be converted into rich organic manure for horti, flori-and agriculture by the action of certain strains of white rot fungi. Pleurotus spp. are efficient lignin degrading agents, however apart from the studies on Pleurotus sajor caju in coir pith biodegradation, degradation of coir pith by other species of fungi is not well understood. The present study was mainly to identify which of the fungal mushroom species is more potent in degrading the coir pith and converting it into efficient organic manure, and whether the incorporation of some bacterial species could improve the composting process. The study revealed that, there is an effective degradation of lignin and a notable increase in the NPK content when nitrogen fixing bacteria were used as the main source of nitrogen during composting of coir pith instead of urea. The replacement of inorganic urea with biological agents such as nitrogen fixing bacteria will not only be economical but also enrich the fertility of soil in a sustainable manner. The coir pith composting can hence be made wholly organic and eco-friendly.