Preplant Fertilization Increases Substrate Microbial Respiration But Does Not Affect Southern Highbush Blueberry Establishment in a Coconut Coir-based Substrate

Coconut coir is widely used as a substrate component for southern highbush blueberry [(SHB) Vaccinium corymbosum L. interspecific hybrids] cultivation in containers. Coconut coir-based substrates can exhibit high potassium (K), sodium (Na), and chlorine (Cl) concentrations. Sodium in the substrate is particularly problematic because it can cause salinity stress and nutritional imbalances in young blueberry plants. Thus, Na removal is important to ensure transplant success. We hypothesized that preplant fertilization with large volumes of nutrient solution can reduce substrate salinity, replace Na with nutritional cations, and enhance blueberry establishment. We tested this hypothesis in a greenhouse experiment with ‘Snowchaser’ SHB grown in rhizoboxes filled with a 7:3 mix of coconut coir and perlite. Four different treatments were delivered every 24 hours starting 72 hours before transplant. Treatments included 1.75 g⋅L–1 calcium nitrate (CN), 2.38 g⋅L–1 monoammonium phosphate (MAP), deionized water, and well water. One rooted cutting was transplanted to each rhizobox. Rhizoboxes were fertigated during the 7-week cultivation period. We found that preplant fertilization increased nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) concentrations in the substrate without replacing Na. Thus, preplant fertilization increased substrate salinity. Preplant fertilization also promoted microbial respiration in the substrate at the start of the experiment. Treatments did not affect SHB root architecture, leaf area index, leaf greenness, or biomass accumulation, likely because nutrients delivered by the fertigation solution provided the plants with homogeneous optimal conditions. These findings suggest that preplant fertilization with large volumes of nutrient solution does not enhance blueberry establishment in coconut coir-based substrates.

Analisis Karakteristik Serbuk Sabut Kelapa (Cocopeat) Sebagai Agregat Halus pada Campuran Beton

The advantages of coconut coir powder (cocopeat) are resistant to microorganisms, weathering and resistant to mechanical spelling, namely friction and blows. Based on these advantages, cocopeat can be used as a blend of fine aggregates in the manufacture of concrete. The sieve test was conducted on the cocopeat to determine the initial feasibility analysis of cocopeat as a blend of fine aggregates in the concrete manufacturing. The results of the cocopeat sieve test are that cocopeat is included in Region II which is classified as a fine module of slightly coarse grains with a fine module of fine aggregate grains of 2.37. This shows that cocopeat has a fairly good value in normal concrete mixtures but is not suitable for high resistance concrete mixtures that exceed 25 MPa. This was followed by a subsidence test that gave subsidence values for mixtures of concrete with a cocopeat composition of 25%, 50% and 75%, is 7.5 cm; 5.3 cm; and 2.2 cm. While a good subsidence ratio is used in the range of 6-18 cm. In addition, the concrete with a 25% blend of cocopeat has a stronger physical form and there are no fungus growing on the surface of the concrete. Meanwhile, concrete with a mixture of 50% and 75% cocopeat looks more fragile and forms molds on the surface of the concrete. Thus the concrete with a mixture of 25% cocopeat has better results.

Analisis Finansial Agroindustri Coco Fiber di Kabupaten Padang-Pariaman

The potential of coconut owned by Padang Pariaman Regency with production reaching 35,436 tons in an area of 40,755 hectares strongly supports the development of agroindustrials in the countryside. The development of rural industries will create new jobs so that the community economy will increase. Coconut has a lot of derivative products, one of which is cocofiber produced from coconut coir. Coconut coir itself is one of the remaining coconut products that can be processed so as to increase the value of the product. Location determination and financial analysis can help potential investors to make cocofiber agroindustry development decisions. The method used to determine the location of the factory is gravity location model (GLM), using data on the coordinate point of coconut IKM in Kab. Padang Pariaman. For financial analysis is calculated using Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Both of these methods are expected to illustrate whether the development plan of the cocofiber industry in kab. Padang pariaman should be done or not. Based on the results of calculations using the GLM method, the optimal factory location selected is in the Limau River area of Padang Pariaman Regency with coordinate points (-0.55904, 100.0827). NPV showed a positive value and the IRR gave a result of 11.6%. The results showed that the calculation of NPV and IRR obtained results that showed that the construction of a cocofiber factory on the Limau Kab. Padang Pariaman River was feasible to carry out.

A Comparative Study on the Properties of Natural, Synthetic and Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete

The use of fibers in concrete at relatively low volume fraction has been gaining rising popularity among researchers for the recent years due to its availability, ability to enhance overall performance and cost effectiveness. Fibers are mainly classified according to their origin. Numerous researches have been carried out with natural and artificial fibers separately to elucidate its effect on the various parameters of concrete. However, a little finding is available about the comparative study among these three distinct types of fibers affecting concrete properties. In this study coconut coir, nylon thread and low-cost galvanized iron wire have been selected as natural, synthetic and steel fibers respectively. Coconut coir and nylon thread were mixed at three different percentage of 1.5%, 2.5% and 3.5% respectively by weight of cement. Steel fibre contents 1.5%, 2.5% and 3.5% respectively by weight of concrete. The results were obtained through an experimental investigation that shows the influence of natural, synthetic and steel fibers on rheological and mechanical properties of concrete. Optimum fibre content was 2.5% where steel fibre shows a maximum 17% and 30% rise in compressive and flexure strength respectively. On the other hand, fibres play a great role with its combining effect on the post cracking ductility and energy absorption of concrete.

Growth, carbohydrate accumulation, and productivity of local glutinous corn Bimapulut (Zea mays var. ceratina Kuleshov) after seed priming and coconut coir ash fertilizer application

Seed priming and applying organic K fertilizer can involve efforts to increase local glutinous corn Bimapulut productivity. This study aims to determine the effect of gibberellin (GA3) as seed priming and coconut coir ash fertilizer on the growth, carbohydrate accumulation, and productivity of Bimapulut corn. The research was conducted using a randomized block design. The main plot was seed priming treatment with gibberellin concentrations of 0, 150, and 300 ppm. As a subplot was the treatment of coconut coir ash fertilizer with fertilizer/soil concentration of 0.00; 0.75; 1.50; 3.00 g/kg; thus, there are 12 treatment combinations. Each treatment was done in three replications. Data were analyzed using separate plot ANOVA with treatment arranged in a factorial. If the treatment is significant, Tukey’s honestly significant difference test will be carried out. The results an interaction between GA3 and coconut coir ash fertilizer on plant height, productivity without corn husks kg/ha, and amylose content but had no significant effect on leaf number, number of cobs per plant, cob length, number of row of seeds per cob, the weight of cob with and without corn husks.

Utilization of coconut coir sack waste as eco-friendly canvas material

Sacks made from coconut coir are usually used by farmers and plantations as sacks for delivery of tobacco, cloves, coffee, tea leaves, etc. Many of us find used sacks made of coconut coir that have been damaged, torn and wasted. Using coconut coir sacks aims to reduce waste, protect the environment and eco-friendly. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method and with an action and research model. The action model taken is to design works of art and paintings on canvas made of used sacks made of coconut coir. Requires a special technique by coating waterproof paint to fill the pores of the holes in the sack. The research model was observing to available for waste sacks made of coconut coir and testing the strength of the sack into canvas and analyzing the durability and service life of coconut coir against paint.