Nutritive value of raw and composted coir pith compost
Parameters Raw coir pith (%) Composted coir pith (%)
Lignin 30.00 4.80
Cellulose 26.52 10.10
Carbon 26.00 24.00
Nitrogen 0.26 1.24
Phosphorous 0.01 0.06
Potassium 0.78 1.20
Calcium 0.40 0.50
Magnesium 0.36 0.48
Iron(ppm) 0.07 0.09
Manganese(ppm) 12.50 25.00
Zinc(ppm) 7.50 15.80
Copper(ppm) 3.10 6.20
C:N ratio 112.1 24:1
Benefits of composted coir pith
The addition of composted coir dust improves soil texture, structure, and tilth, sandy soil becomes more compact, and clayey soil becomes more arable.
It improves the soil aggregation
It improves the water holding capacity (more than 5 times its dry weight) contributing towards increased soil moisture.
The bulk density of both the sub-surface (15-30 cm) soil is reduced to a considerable extent with the application of composted coir pith.
Composted coir dust contains all plant nutrient elements and it can provide a supplemental effect along with inorganic fertilizers.
There is an improvement in the cation exchange capacity of soils, where composted coir pith is applied.
Coir pith compost application increased the soil native microflora because of the addition of humic materials.
Ammonification, nitrification, and nitrogen fixation are increased due to improved microbiological activity.
