Background:
Nursery entrepreneurs often face problems due to inadequate decomposition and heterogeneity of coir pith in terms of nutrient content. In order to overcome this, Arka fermented coco-peat has been developed by IIHR for vegetable seedling production.

Technology Details:
Arka fermented coco-peat is developed by the solid-state fermentation of raw coir pith, by employing a fungal consortium. The entire process can be completed in thirty days at the nursery level itself. On completion of the fermentation process, the material can be enriched with the Arka Microbial Consortium comprising of N-fixing, P & Zn solubilizing and plant growth-promoting microbes and used forthepro-tray vegetable seedling. Benefits of the Technology Reduced cost and time of production, no need for washing of the raw coir pith, hence environmentally friendly Dispenses the need for sterilization of the growth media, Better germination and vigorous uniform seedlings. Seedling raised on this growth media attain early transplantation maturity