Introduction
Planting is very important to lead life on earth. But due to increase in soil pollution the rate of growth and yield of plants is greatly reduced. So, it is important to invite soil less agriculture and roof top gardening.
This project is done to determine the feasibility and advantages of planting on coconut husk. The planting without soil includes hydroponics. Though it has many advantages it also contains some disadvantages like high cost, easy spread of diseases etc., the necessity to overcome these disadvantages lead to the invention of project named “planting on coconut husk”. “Fenugreek, green gram and pea” plants and also ornamental plants were planted on coconut husk. Thus coconut husk is proved to a good medium for plants growth.
Step 1: Coconut husk
Coconut husk is the outer roughest part of the coconut which is fibrous in nature.
Common uses of coconut husk:
Coconut husk has many applications in our day-to-day life.
- as fuel.
- as a source of charcoal.
- for making house hold articles such as furniture, ropes, bed coir, mats, etc.,
Step 2: Materials taken
- A small pot
- Coconut husk
- Fenugreek seeds, green gram, pea seeds etc.., (or)ornamental plants
- Water
Step 3: Procedure
- Step 1: A small amount of coconut husk is taken and kept in water in order to reduce the stiffness of the raw coconut husk.
- Step 2: This wet coconut husk is then filled in a small pot.
- Step 3: The selected seeds were sown on the coconut husk (or) ornamental plant
- Step 4: Spray water to seed(or) for plant
[Tips: Coconut husk can also mixed with soil while planting on land surface which will hold water for long period and avoid water evaporation, which helps to keep the soil moisture for long time so it is not necessary to water the plant often]
Step 4: Observation
- The sown seeds germinated within two days.
- The growth of seeds in coconut husk was faster compared to its growth on soil.
- No need to water plants daily
The images are the result of fenugreek plant and an ornamental plant grown on coconut husk.
Step 5: Advantages of planting on coconut husk
- Coconut husk acts as a good medium to grow plants.
- Coconut husk absorbs more water thus keeping the medium wet always.
- Coconut husk contains high lignin content and hence it is resistant to bacterial and fungal growth.
- Coconut husk is highly porous and hence it supplies oxygen to roots of plant, and hence the roots will not rot.
- pH of the medium can be maintained in coconut husk according to the plant’s need.
- Coconut husk can be continuously used for more than 10 years.
- The plant can be grown by supplying necessary nutrient to the Coconut husk.
- Since plants are not grown on soil, the plants will be free from soil borne pests.
- Using coconut husk for farming does not require more maintenance.
- Use of coconut husk for farming reduces the labour and garden maintenance.
- Since it is not grown on soil, plants can be grown anywhere where no soil exists and light is available. For example, plants can be grown on roof top using coconut husk.
- Weeds, pests and disease problems can be easily controlled.
- Farming on coconut husk does not require tilling, fumigation, and pulling of weeds as in soil farming.
- Farming on coconut husk requires only less cost to setup and hence economically feasible.
- Rooftop gardening can be done easily because coconut husk is less in weight and also not allow the water to flow out of pot.
Step 6: Conclusion
Hence, I conclude that planting on coconut husk will be most efficient and will give high and healthy yields.
Ref: https://www.instructables.com/PLANTING-ON-COCONUT-HUSK/