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Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES


University Town, Northern Samar
Web. http://uep.edu.ph; Email: ueppres06@gmail.com

College of Engineering
Mechanical Department

Researcher:
BALANLAY, JHADE D.

In partial fulfillment in the subject: Methods of Research


Academic Year: 2022-2023
Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES
University Town, Northern Samar
Web. http://uep.edu.ph; Email: ueppres06@gmail.com

College of Engineering
Mechanical Department

GAP ANALYSIS REPORT

Student: BALANLAY, JHADE D. Date: 04-19-23

Topic: Coco peat in Agriculture: Prospects and innovative solutions

Introduction:

Coconut is a valuable commodity right now, and almost everyone is aware of its

many applications. The fruit may be found in everything from coconut oil and butter to

shredded coconut and super-hydrating coconut water. Many people are unaware that the

processing of coconut products generates a significant amount of waste in the form of

coconut husks. Around 85% of the husks from the nearly 50 billion coconuts grown

worldwide are tossed as trash, giving fuel to the fire that is global pollution.

Waste and huge quantities are dumped in the field, either with or without the shell.

However, Northern Samar has listed as one of the coconut producer provinces in the

Philippines and most of us let this coconut husk in the land field unused, without prior
knowledge, we can repurpose coconut husk for our farm as a soil enhancer, a gardening mix

and a hydroponic system.

Discussion of Research Result:

Coco peat is a biomass residue with very less rate of decomposition and one of the

major agricultural wastes. Its disposal is done by burning which leads to air pollution.

Besides, heavy rain causes release of toxic phenolic compound from the residue which

ultimately contaminates groundwater and threatens aquatic life. Thus, coir sector

development is a need of the hour which will lead to sustainable production of ecofriendly

products from coco peat and help in replacing the synthetic furnishings. Ravindranath, A.

D., 2005.

Coconut palm is an important plantation crop grown in India exerting profound

influence on the livelihood and rural economy of the farmers in South India1. Approximately

12 million tonnes of coir pith wastes are produced annually which remains unutilized for

productive purposes2. This creates fire hazard, disposal problems and groundwater

contamination due to the presence of high phenolic compounds3. Only 15% of the coconut

husk is used for recovery of coir fibres in India. Ghosh, P.K., Sarma, U.S., Ravindranath,

A.D., Radhakrishnan, S. and Ghosh, P., 2007.

Niro et al., (2016) showed the technical feasibility to produce fiberboards made of

milled coconut husk and bounded with natural adhesives, specifically tannin-based adhesive

formulations. To ensure the sustainability of the board production, the husk availability and

current utilization should be fully assessed. However, there was limited information on how

much volume is actually produced, utilized and therefore potentially available in certain

provinces in the Philippines. This study was conducted to assess husk availability, density

and utilization in the major coconut producing provinces in the Philippines. The data were
collected with the main aim to provide baseline information for the identification of most

suitable locations for the setting up of new coconut husk processing plants, e.g. coconut husk

fiberboard manufacturing.

A continuous adsorption study in a fixed bed column using coco-peat (CP) as an

adsorbent was carried out for the removal of toxic malachite green (MG) from contaminated

water. Fixed bed column studies were carried out to check field application viability. Various

parameters like particle size, pH, concentration, dose and interference were exercised to

optimize dye removal. Data obtained from breakthrough column studies were evaluated using

Thomas and BDST model. Thomas rate constants Kt (0.22 ml min−1 mg−1) and adsorption

capacity qo (181.04 mg g−1) were estimated and found to favor efficiency of CP. Thomas

model was tested with several parameters like flow rate, concentration, and bed depth. Upon

increase in input dye concentration, flow rate and bed height, adsorption coefficients

increased. According to BDST model, maximum dye uptake of 468.26 mg/l was obtained

with an input dye concentration of 5 mg/l. HYBRID and MPSD error functions were tested

and found that Thomas model fits best. Dilute hydrochloric acid was found best for

desorption. Real wastewater from textile industry was analyzed and confirmed the prospect

of large-scale industrial application. In conclusion, coco-peat can be used as a promising bio-

sorbent in column bed for scavenging of MG from contaminated water. Roshni Kumari &

Soumen Dey 2019

Coir fiber has tremendous water retention capabilities while promoting good

drainage and aeration over time. According to Dr. Michael R. Evans of the University of

Kansas, the water holding performance of coco coir (73 to 80%) are higher than peat moss

(60 to 68%). In fact, the large particle sizes create air-filled macro pores while the pith of

the coconut husk holds water


Along with the growing popularity for sustainable agriculture and organic foods,

currently global agriculture is striving hard to find alternatives for agro-chemicals. Even

though there are certain developments in the use of organic manures in various cropping

systems, knowledge on water soluble organic alternatives for inorganic fertilizer based

hydroponics fertilizers (in protected agriculture) is very scarce. This issue was further

envisaged by amending several water soluble industrial effluents and agricultural byproducts

into drip fertigated coco-peat culture and testing their influence on the growth and yield

performance of tomato and green cucumber under semi-intensive tropical greenhouse

conditions in Sri Lanka. The results revealed that coco peat effluent, banana stem extract

and Gliricidia extract supplemented hydroponics formulation gave equal or higher results to

inorganic fertilizer (Alberts) with respect to plant height, leaf and medium N, P, K contents

and the crop yield of greenhouse tomato. Despite the fact that the yield was low, comparable

results were given by alternative fertigation treatments, dominated by the bio gas slurry

supplement, for plant height, leaf area and leaf and medium N, P, K contents of cucumber

during most plant growth stages. Further improvements can be suggested for coco peat

effluent and banana stem extract-based hydroponics solution for tomato and biogas slurry-

based hydroponics solution for cucumber through improved mixing rates and growth stage-

based supply control. Ethulgama, W.M.D.K., Herath, H.M.N.K., Weerakkody, W.A.P.,

Gunasena, A. and Bombuwela, D.M.D. (2020)

A by-product of processing coconut husks is known as coir dust, coco peat, coir pith

or simply coir. Coir is a versatile natural fibre extracted from meso carp tissue, or husk of the

coconut. The husk contains 20 % to 30 % fibre of varying length and holds 8-9 times its

weight in water. It can be reused for up to 4 years (Preethi et al., 2018)

When raising seedlings in soilless cultivation systems, consistency of physical,

chemical and biological properties are essential to produce vigorous healthy seedlings.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to select the most suitable particle size range of coco

peat as a nursery substrate to produce greenhouse tomato, bell pepper, cucumber and cabbage

seedlings.

A good plant growing substrate must be able to provide water, nutrients and oxygen

for the plants as well as a good physical support. Therefore, the physical and chemical

analyses of these substrates have been a matter of concern throughout the world over the last

decade (Kang et al., 2004). Miller and Jones, (1995) stated that, the purpose of a potting

media is to satisfy the needs for good seedling growth within the limited space of a container

and to prepare it for successful transplanting into the field. In order to allow a rapid growth of

seedlings, a healthy, fibrous root system is necessary and the growing media is the foremost

factor determining it. The particle size of the materials utilized in growing media should be

within an appropriate range to provide all suitable conditions to seedlings as small volumes of

substrate per plant is used. The growing media should have various favourable characters

such as light-weight. good porosity, well-drained but with optimum water holding capacity,

slightly acidic with optimum cation-exchange-capacity, constant volume when wet or dry,

lack of insects, diseases and weed seeds, low content of silt, clay and ash, easy storage for

long periods of time without changes in physical and chemical properties and easy handling

and blending (Miller and Jones,1995)

Along with the growing popularity for sustainable agriculture and organic foods,

currently global agriculture is striving hard to find alternatives for agro-chemicals. Even

though there are certain developments in the use of organic manures in various cropping

systems, knowledge on water soluble organic alternatives for inorganic fertilizer-based

hydroponics fertilizers (in protected agriculture) is very scarce. This issue was further

envisaged by amending several water-soluble industrial effluents and agricultural byproducts

into drip fertigated coco-peat culture and testing their influence on the growth and yield
performance of tomato and green cucumber under semi-intensive tropical greenhouse

conditions in Sri Lanka. The results revealed that coco peat effluent, banana stem extract

and Gliricidia extract supplemented hydroponics formulation gave equal or higher results to

inorganic fertilizer (Alberts) with respect to plant height, leaf and medium N, P, K contents

and the crop yield of greenhouse tomato. Despite the fact that the yield was low, comparable

results were given by alternative fertigation treatments, dominated by the bio gas slurry

supplement, for plant height, leaf area and leaf and medium N, P, K contents of cucumber

during most plant growth stages. Further improvements can be suggested for coco peat

effluent and banana stem extract-based hydroponics solution for tomato and biogas slurry-

based hydroponics solution for cucumber through improved mixing rates and growth stage-

based supply control. Ethulgama, W.M.D.K., Herath, H.M.N.K., Weerakkody, W.A.P.,

Gunasena, A. and Bombuwela, D.M.D. (2020).

Husk production in the Philippines is 14.69 billion nuts per year and farmers use more

than 5 billion of them for firewood during copra drying (PCA, 2015). The remaining husks

become farm waste and large volumes are left in the field together or without the shell. The

Department of Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines estimated 9 billion husks are left or burnt

in the field (DA, 2014). This massive number of husks might represent an important natural

resource (Greer, 2008). Fibres are extracted from the husk of the coconut and are made into

geotextile and a variety of manufactured articles such as ropes, bags, mats, rugs, carpets and

many other products (Kavitha, 2016). Meanwhile, the coconut peat –the non-fibrous part of

the husk– is also utilized as component of organic plant media fertilizer (Nazari et al., 2011).

In spite of all the current applications of husk mentioned, the estimated husk utilization in the

Philippines amounts to 334 tons/day (about 120,000 tons/year) which is a negligible fraction

of the total husk production (PCA, 2015).


List of research gap:

Research gap Prepared research topic

Coco peat is a biomass residue with very Design and fabrication of coco peat waste

less rate of decomposition and one of the disposal system

major agricultural wastes.

Tones Coco husk remains unutilized for Utilization of coco husk remains for

productive purposes. This creates fire productive purposes

hazard, disposal problems and groundwater

contamination due to the presence of high

phenolic compounds.

limited information on how much volume is Investigate provinces with high density and

actually produced, utilized and therefore availability of husk

potentially available in certain provinces in

the Philippines

Global agriculture is striving hard to find Design and fabrication of coco peat machine

alternative for agro-chemicals for agro-chemicals utilization

Raising seedlings in soilless cultivation Selecting the most suitable particle size

systems, consistency of physical, chemical range of coco peat as a nursery substrate.

and biological properties is essential to

produce vigorous healthy seedlings

Knowledge on water soluble organic Investigation of coco peat for water soluble

alternative for inorganic fertilizer-based organic alternative for inorganic fertilizer-


hydroponics fertilizer (in protected based hydroponics fertilizer.

agriculture) is very scarce

Husk production in the Philippines is 14.69 Design and fabrication of coco peat machine

billion nuts per year, the remaining husk for reducing farm waste and utilizes for

become farm waste and large volumes are agricultural purposes.

left in the field together without the shell. It

is estimated 9 billion husks are left or burnt

in the field

References:

Nichols, M., 2013. COIR: Sustainable growing media. Practical hydroponics and
greenhouses, 138. http://www.hydroponics.com.au/coir-sustainable-growing-media.

Ghosh, P.K., Sarma, U.S., Ravindranath, A.D., Radhakrishnan, S. and Ghosh, P., 2007. A
novel method for accelerated composting of coir pith. Energy & fuels, 21(2): 822-827.

Niro, J.F.V.M., Kyriazopoulos, M., Bianchi, S., Eusebio, D.A., Arboleda, J.R., Lanuzo, M.M.
and Pichelin, F. 2016. Development of medium and low density fiberboards made of milled
coconut husk and bound with formaldehayde free tannin-based adhesive.
Ravindranath, A. D., 2005. Coir Pith And Biotechnology – Ecofriendly Waste Management.
Paper presented at the Global Ecomeet 2005,Thiruvananthapuram Feb 19-28, 2005.

Kumari, R., & Dey, S. (2019). A breakthrough column study for removal of malachite green
using coco-peat. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 21(12), 1263–1271.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2019.1633252

Chassouant, C. (2022). Advantages of the use of coco peat in soilless agriculture. Horti
Generation. https://horti-generation.com/coco-peat-advantages-in-soilless-cultivation/

Coco-peat effluent and organic manure based hydroponics for greenhouse crop cultivation |
International Society for Horticultural Science. (n.d.).
https://www.ishs.org/ishs-article/1296_107
Preeti G, Gohil M, Rajatiya J, Halepotara F, Solanki M, Malam VR et al. Int. J Pure App. Bio
Sci. 2018; 6(1):1219-1224.

Miller JH and Jones N 1995 Organic and compost-based growing media for tree seedling.
Nursries. World Bank Technical Paper, 264.

Ethulgama, W.M.D.K., Herath, H.M.N.K., Weerakkody, W.A.P., Gunasena, A. and


Bombuwela, D.M.D. (2020). Coco-peat effluent and organic manure-based hydroponics for
greenhouse crop cultivation. Acta Hortic. 1296, 843-850
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1296.107
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1296.107

Kavitha, M. 2016. Production process of coir and coir Products. International Journal of
Research in Business Management, 3 (3), 39-48.

Nazari, F., Farahmand, H., Khosh-Khui, M. and Salehi, H. 2011. Effects of coir as a
component of potting media on growth, flowering and physiological characteristics of
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L. cv. Sonbol-e-Irani). Universal Research Publications.
International Journal of Agricultural and Food Science, 1 (2), 34-38.

Proposed research topic: Design and fabrication of coco peat machine for reducing farm

waste and utilizes for agricultural purposes.

Proposed research topic:

1. Manual coco peat block making machine in university of eastern Philippines

2. Electric coco peat block making machine in university of eastern Philippines

3. Design and testing of coco peat block making machine

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