@article {10.3844/ajabssp.2009.63.71,
article_type = {journal},
title = {Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Cocopeat-Based Media Mixtures and Their Effects on the Growth and Development of Celosia cristata},
author = {Awang, Yahya and Shaharom, Anieza Shazmi and Mohamad, Rosli B. and Selamat, Ahmad},
volume = {4},
year = {2009},
month = {Mar},
pages = {63-71},
doi = {10.3844/ajabssp.2009.63.71},
url = {https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajabssp.2009.63.71},
abstract = {Problem statement: Cocopeat is considered as a good growing media 
component with acceptable pH, electrical conductivity and other chemical attributes 
but it has been recognized to have high water holding capacity which causes poor 
air-water relationship, leading to low aeration within the medium, thus affecting 
the oxygen diffusion to the roots. Incorporation of coarser materials into cocopeat 
could improve the aeration status of the media. Approach: Selected 
chemical and physical characteristics of five types of growing media comprising 
of (v/v) 100% cocopeat, 70% cocopeat: 30% burnt rice hull, 70% cocopeat: 30% perlite, 
70% cocopeat: 30% kenaf core fiber and 40% cocopeat: 60% kenaf core fiber were 
determined and their suitability as growing media was tested using Celosia cristata. 
Data on pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and various aspects of air-water relationships 
of the media, as well on growth and flowering of test plant and leaf nutrient 
contents were collected. Results: Initial pH for 100% cocopeat 
and 70% cocopeat: 30% kenaf core fiber was higher than the other media but the 
values were eventually similar by the end of the study. The bulk density and EC 
of media containing burnt rice hull was markedly higher than the other media (0.12 
g cm3 and 0.48 mS cm-1, respectively). Media comprising of 70% cocopeat: 30% burnt 
rice hull and 70% cocopeat: 30% perlite contained higher air content. The former 
held the highest volume of available water. Incorporation of burnt rice hull and 
perlite into cocopeat increased water absorption ability of the media which reached 
saturation earlier than the other media. Addition of burnt rice hull (30%), perlite 
(30%) and kenaf core fiber (30%) to cocopeat elevated the Air-Filled Porosity 
(AFP) of the media. The growth and flowering of Celosia cristata were the greatest 
when grown in a mixture of 70% cocopeat: 30% burnt rice hull and perhaps linked 
with a good balance in the aeration and moisture relationship of the media. Conclusion: 
Results of this study indicated that certain chemical and physical properties 
of cocopeat can be improved through incorporation of burnt rice hull and its positive 
effect was clearly reflected in the growth and development of Celosia cristata.},
journal = {American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences},
publisher = {Science Publications}
}