AU3322300A - A soil conditioner and slow release bio-pesticidal and fertilizer composition - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/57156 PCT/INOO/00010 1 A SOIL CONDITIONER AND SLOW RELEASE BIOPESTICIDAL AND FERTILIZER COMPOSITION TECHNICAL FIELD: This invention relates to a soil conditioner and slow release bio-pesticidal and fertilizer composition. In coir industry, coconut husk is subjected to decomposition by submerging them in water. This softens up 5 the vegetable matter inside the husk from which fibre is extracted for the production of coir and coir articles. Coir pith is a by-product obtained during this fibre processing step from coconut husk. This pith decomposes very slowly over a period of at least 10 years. In the 10 coconut growing and coir processing areas and spread through out coastal India, disposal of coir pith has been posing environmental problems. Dumping of this polluting waste product, though declared illegal in many States of India, continues, posing problems of disposal particularly because 15 it is resistant to burning and burns for a long time, taking up atmospheric oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. This further complicates the already existing ecological and environmental problems. Peat is the name given to layers of dead vegetation in 20 varying degrees of decomposition. They are formed by the accumulation of the remains of marshy vegetation in swampy WO 01/57156 PCT/INOO/00010 2 hoI n1 s I oF i cl d arid temperate regions Ge ol ogic.a l IV peat considered as the youngest member of the coal family Pe I is widely used as a fuel and is therefore becomirig saarn. Coir pith is a homogenous material composed of mill ins 5 of micro sponges exhibiting capillary actior and it can absorb and hold as much as 900 percentage of its weight in water Coir pith is composed of carbon and nitrogen in the ratio of approximately 110 to 1 and has a protective I ignin coating. Because of these properties, the world's fragile 10 ecology may be saved with the help of coir pith. BACK GROUND ART: A soil conditioner absorbs and retains moisture and releases it to the soil surrounding it when the equilibrium of water content in the soil and the condtiioner is 15 disturbed. When the soil becomes dry or less moist the conditioner having absorbed water releases it slowly to the soil around it. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION: The object of this invention is to produce a soil 20 conditioner having a slow release bio-pesticide and bio fertilizer which is eco-friendly and renewable. Coir pith having very high absorbency rate is ideally suited as water absorbent and storage material during the rainy season for WO 01/57156 PCT/INOO/00010 subsequent release of water The inventor has found t hat the slow rate of decomposition of coir pith makR es i an ideal condit iorer for subterranean soil. This, properly coupled with the ability to rel ease moisture s1 owly enable es 5 processed co ir pith and neem cake combination to function as a slow re lease bio-pesticidai / fertilizer and so i I cond i tioner combinat ion Thi s composit ion surprising] exhibits properties substantially different from either noir pith or neem cake alone. The composition absorhs and 10 holds rain water during rainy season and when subjected to subsoil microbial action, slow decomposition of noir pith and neem cake starts. When the water balance is disturbed during dry and arid conditions, the composition releases the absorbed water and the decomposed nitrogeneous matter to the 15 soil supplimenting its requirement. Insecticidal and fungicidal properties of neem cake inhibit or minimise the attack of common subterranean pests that attack vegetation. Neem cake not only delays the decay or decomposition of coir pith but also prevents pests and other harmful insects from 20 harming the cultivation. BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION: Coir pith is sieved to remove coir fibre and other undesired materials therefrom. Preferably a sieve with B mm/4.8 mm screen is used. Conductivity and pH of this 25 coir pith is then tested and if desired the pith is subjected to the washing and drying step. Washing may be either manual or by exposing the same to rains and WO 01/57156 PCT/INOO/00010 4 subsequent drying either in the sun or in an oven. Preferred conductivity is upto 300 mtrs and the pH range is 5.0 to 6.8. Moisture limit is up to 20% by weight of moisture. After sieving and drying the pith is admixed with at 5 least 20% by its weight of powdered neem cake and is then subjected to high pressure in a hydraulic or any other known mechanical press. The composition may be moulded in any desired shape, thickness and size. Large briquettes or discs are made for use in plantation while small coin shaped 10 disc or slabs are made for use in gardens and in small scale cultivations. These moulded compositions may be distributed under the soil before the sowing and planting season, for release of micro- nutrients, fertilizers such as nitrogenous matter, 15 15 water and pesticides. In course of time, with the help of rain water, the composition decays slowly releasing nutrients and pesticides, the decayed matter acting as soil conditioners. The composition and its action are ecofriendly and environmentally compatible. 20 This invention relates to a soil conditioner and slow release bio-pesticidal and fertilizer composition, which comprises at least 20% by weight of powdered neem cake and coir pith having a moisture content of upto 20%, compressed to reduce its volume.

WO 01/57156 PCTIN00/00010 5 The composition is compressed to reduce its volume the ratio of 12:1 when small discs or briquettes are made. It is preferred to reduce the volume to 6:1 when larger size units are formed. This composition is ideally suited for 5 desert farming and rain-fed farming conditions. Obvious equivalents and alterations known to persons skilled in the art are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (4)

1. 3. The composition as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein the coir pith is dry and has its pH adjusted to 5.0 to 6 8 prior 10 to addition of neem cake powder.
2. 4. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the composition is compressed to reduce its volume in the ratio of 12:1.
3. 5. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding 15 claims, wherein the composition is compressed to reduce its volume in the ratio of 6:1.
4. 6. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the composition is compressed to discs, coins or briquettes in a hydraulic press having the desired 20 moulds.