Coco-Peat Technology:
Its Use for Seeding Germination in Bundelkhand
T
he Bundelkhand Region comprises 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh: these are the most socially and economically downtrodden areas in India.
Traditional structures, low soil cover and erratic rainfall typify the region. The predominantly low socio-economic status of the people of Bundelkhand and insufficient crop productivity lead to a high incidence of depression in small and marginal farmers, as well as to high rates of suicide and distress migration. Over 400 farmers in the seven districts of the Bundelkhand Region have been driven to suicide by crop failure and corollary debt.
75 per cent of the people of Bundelkhand are dependent on agriculture, and more than 80 per cent of these are small and marginal farmers. According to human development indicators, which include per capita income and literacy rates, Bundelkhand is among the least developed regions in India.
Some causes of the problems mentioned above include
• Low agricultural productivity
• High migration (39% per year)
• Poor soil conditions
• Uncertain rainfall
• Poor crop productivity (1.4 times less than central India per hectare)
• Low literacy rates and
• Lack of information on new farming techniques
In view of the need to overcome the adverse conditions listed above, hi-tech agricultural solutions could be used to bring about improvement in the farmers' quality of life by enhancing per capita income of outreach farmers in the Bundelkhand region. One of the recent experiments undertaken at the Sustainability Resource Centre of Development Alternatives at Pahuj for germination of seedlings has shown some amazing results.
The Use of Coco-Peat
Generally, the coco-peat medium is made up of coconut fibre or husk. A by-product of the coconut harvesting process, it acts as a catalyst in the germination of vegetable seedlings and floriculture crops. Trays with 104, 88 and 50 cavities are available on the market for Rs. 20-25/tray, and can be used for germination.
Research Observations of the Effect of Non-Soil Media on
Seedling Germination:
Comparing Coco-Peat, Solarised Soil and Non-Soil Media
The findings obtained are shown below:
I. Seed germination in coco-peat had a 98% success rate, as opposed to 75% in solarised soil, and 60% in soil media (results were obtained by using the same pro-tray).
II. Root growth of seedlings in coco-peat is three times that observed in other media.
III. Coco-peat seedling mortality stands at 10%, whereas mortality rates in solarised and soil media exceed 30%.
Coco-peat makes an excellent growing medium for hydroponics, soil mixes, and container plant growing. This clean coir contains natural rooting hormones and has anti-fungal properties. This product is 100% organic.
1. Coco-peat can be used in seed starting mixes, bedding plants, planters, soil mixes, gardens and container plants; in other words, anywhere one would use peat moss. The natural properties of coco-peat make it resistant to bacterial and fungal growth.
2. Coco-peat holds water rather than shedding it the way traditional peat does. Coco-peat holds eight to nine times its weight in water.
3. Coco-peat has the ability to store and release nutrients to plants for extended periods of time. It also has great oxygenation properties, which are important for healthy root development. q
S. B. Pandey
sbpandey@devalt.org