Coconut Husk

Compost

Physical Properties

1. High water holding capacity

and wettability Greater soil
moisture can result in greater
biomass production which
provides food for soil biota.
Optimal microbial activity can
occur which encourages
plant growth.
2. More physically resilient than
sphagnum peat, thus able to
withstand compression of
bailing to a greater extent

Chemical Properties

1. Acceptable pH range, cation

exchange
capacity
and
electrical conductivity
2. Slower
rates
of
decomposition
than
sphagnum peat and sedge
Implies that high equilibrium
of organic matter are easier
to be achieved and this
affects the availability of
water to plants

Biological Properties

1. Characterized by lack
weeds and pathogens

of

1. High water holding capacity

Potting Soil

[2]
[3]

Increasing the organic matter content from 1 to 2 percent would increase the volume of water to 3 quarts per cubic foot of soil. In a 20
Humus is a nutrient rich filled material that increases the nutrient content in soils and also serves to retain soil moisture.

Coconut Husk

Physical Properties

1.

2.

Chemical Properties

1.
2.

Biological Properties

1.

Compost

Potting Soil

High water holding capacity and wettability Greater 1.

soil moisture can result in greater biomass production
which provides food for soil biota Optimal microbial
activity can occur which encourages plant growth.
More physically resilient than sphagnum peat, thus able
to withstand compression of bailing to a greater extent.

High water holding capacity Greater soil moisture 1.

can result in greater biomass production which
provides food for soil biota Optimal microbial
activity can occur which encourages plant growth.

Potting soil can increase plant growth,

effectiveness in augmenting crop yields is aff
the aeration range It was found that
plants varied in response to aeration, plan
was most limited when aeration was little an
grew at the highest rate when the aeration ra
high (Bugbee, Frink, 1986)

Acceptable pH range, cation exchange capacity and 1.

electrical conductivity.
Slower rates of decomposition than sphagnum peat and
sedge Implies that high equilibrium of organic matter
are easier to be achieved and this affects the availability 2.
of water to plants.
3.

Acceptable pH range, cation exchange capacity and 1.

electrical conductivity Allows buffering of soil
against rapid and drastic pH changes (Landshoot, 2.
n.d.).
Large volumes of organic matter which can retain
water that helps plant growth.
Bind to heavy metals and prevent them from
migrating to water resources or being absorb by
plants.

Acceptable pH range, cation exchange capa

electrical conductivity.
Rich in plant nutrients Good quality pot
has the ability to provide nutrients by pro
huge amount of plant nutrients and mater
facilitates drainage and aeration (Idlebrook, 2
However, this depends on the potting mixture
varies.

Characterized by lack of weeds and pathogens.

High nutrient content level Allows regeneration of

soil fertility The composting process will encourage
production of bacteria and fungi, enhancing its ability
to break down organic matter available in compost to
form humus.
Suppresses plant diseases and various pests and
reduces or eliminates the need for fertilizers.

1.

2.

Table 2.1: Physical, chemical and biological properties of the commercial soil mediums

Anions (ppm)

Sample Name

Fluoride (F) [ppm]

Chloride (Cl) [ppm]

Nitrite (NO2) [ppm]

Sulphate (SO4 ) [ppm]

Bromide (Br) [ppm]

Nitrate (NO3) [ppm]

Phosphate (PO4) [ppm]

MW COH 20/PS 80

0.889

166.838

0.203

33.592

0.449

3.695

MW COH 40/PS 60

1.720

278.290

19.234

1.395

0.161

21.102

MW COH 60/PS 40

1.763

411.181

0.706

12.650

2.271

30.459

MW COH 80/PS 20

2.104

591.720

0.970

9.368

3.764

0.109

55.739

MW COH 20/COM 80

2.367

253.948

0.203

26.384

0.373

0.159

48.519

MW COH 40/ COM 60

2.496

363.226

0.360

19.353

1.082

0.246

60.924

MW COH 60/ COM 40

3.089

512.300

0.635

16.144

2.766

0.246

83.464

MW COH 80/ COM 20

3.296

590.106

0.876

7.492

3.872

0.651

92.411

Anions (ppm)

Sample Name

Fluoride (F) [ppm]

Chloride (Cl) [ppm]

Nitrite (NO2) [ppm]

Sulphate (SO4 ) [ppm]

Bromide (Br) [ppm]

Nitrate (NO3) [ppm]

Phosphate (PO4) [ppm]

MW COH 20/PS 80

0.019

146.604

0.042

30.912

0.129

7.207

MW COH 40/PS 60

0.019

286.866

23.961

0.867

0.038

21.298

MW COH 60/PS 40

0.056

463.812

0.100

14.711

1.548

0.073

37.060

MW COH 80/PS 20

0.054

563.143

0.071

8.335

2.831

0.025

64.892

MW COH 20/COM 80

249.078

31.318

0.453

57.806

MW COH 40/ COM 60

369.277

22.284

0.198

1.219

72.237

MW COH 60/ COM 40

0.039

548.879

16.621

1.390

0.268

95.890

MW COH 80/ COM 20

0.044

551.213

0.045

10.260

2.407

0.084

83.862

Anions (ppm)

Sample Name

Fluoride (F) [ppm]

Chloride (Cl) [ppm]

Nitrite (NO2) [ppm]

Sulphate (SO4 ) [ppm]

Bromide (Br) [ppm]

Nitrate (NO3) [ppm]

Phosphate (PO4) [ppm]

MW POTTING SOIL

0.011

10.585

0.178

30.209

0.053

0.227

MW MIX 1

0.035

3.023

8.124

15.460

MW MIX 2

0.044

10.301

0.445

109.656

13.835

MW COCONUT HUSK

0.091

563.988

0.039

2.263

3.343

0.863

58.233

126.460

32.079

0.979

50.986

MW COMPOST

Cations (ppm)

TIC (mg/l)

Sodium (Na+) [ppm]

Ammonium (NH4+) [ppm]

Potassium (K+) [ppm]

Magnesium (Mg+) [ppm]

TC (mg/l)

TOC (diff)

PH

SEC

Calcium (Ca+) [ppm]

47.336

134.532

1.358

3.236

2.893

30.870

27.977

6.82

0.597

65.757

237.936

1.786

1.134

28.189

27.055

6.52

0.965

6.29

1.370

5.93

1.733

6.85

1.322

6.80

1.472

6.69

1.622

6.47

2.000

89.618

333.527

2.064

0.620

33.489

32.869

124.478

473.435

2.434

0.519

45.913

45.394

67.574

6.618

370.940

10.244

23.348

44.933

280.607

235.674

90.196

427.511

9.731

23.090

31.298

223.656

192.358

127.148

514.836

6.717

11.555

17.394

152.127

134.733

132.759

535.378

6.866

7.577

5.472

113.855

108.383

Cations (ppm)

TIC (mg/l)

Sodium (Na+) [ppm]

Ammonium (NH4+) [ppm]

Potassium (K+) [ppm]

Magnesium (Mg+) [ppm]

TC (mg/l)

TOC (diff)

SEC

Calcium (Ca+) [ppm]

33.874

128.269

1.383

3.607

2.146

33.042

30.896

63.812

234.990

1.590

2.616

1.413

34.357

32.944

90.309

368.470

2.827

2.701

0.758

44.824

44.066

120.678

439.732

3.295

0.433

62.001

61.569

60.717

5.963

379.567

11.591

27.607

41.332

296.478

255.146

86.038

4.530

432.031

11.028

23.201

35.329

231.592

196.263

114.424

9.842

15.912

12.142

160.780

148.637

122.792

465.913

6.034

7.802

4.098

110.004

105.905

Cations (ppm)
Sodium (Na+) [ppm]
2.817
0.710
3.182
115.531
35.365

PH

Ammonium (NH4+) [ppm] Potassium (K+) [ppm] Magnesium (Mg+) [ppm]

25.898
1.492
0.170
1.774
0.253
0.760
25.240
3.523
460.342
2.396
14.552
334.558
14.344

Calcium (Ca+) [ppm]

8.356
8.987
36.359
33.415

6.55

0.484

6.8

0.842

5.68

1.316

5.91

1.616

6.91

1.31

6.88

1.474

6.76

1.788

6.53

1.785

Percentage of coconut husk in potting soil mixture

Percentage of coconut husk in compost mixture

120

120

100

100

Na+/ppm

140

Na+/ppm

140

80
60

80
60

40

40

20

20

0
20

40

60

80

20

Percentage of coconut husk/%

Percentage of coconut husk in potting soil mixture

60

80

500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0

Percentage of coconut husk in compost mixture

600
500

K+/ppm

K+/ppm

40

Percentage of coconut husk/%

400

300
200
100
0

20

40

60

Percentage of coconut husk/%

80

20

40

60

Percentage of coconut husk/%

80

Percentage of coconut husk in potting soil mixture

Percentage of coconut husk in compost mixture

700

600

600

500

Cl-/ppm

Cl-/ppm

500
400
300
200

400
300
200
100

100
0

0
20

40

60

80

20

Percentage of coconut husk/%

50

PO42-/ppm

PO42-/ppm

60

40
30
20
10
0
60

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

80

20

Percentage of coconut husk/%

30

30

25

25

SO42-/ppm

SO42-/ppm

35

10

60

80

Percentage of coconut husk in compost mixture

35

15

40

Percentage of coconut husk/%

Percentage of coconut husk in potting soil mixture

20

80

Percentage of coconut husk in compost mixture

70

40

60

Percentage of coconut husk/%

Percentage of coconut husk in potting soil mixture

20

40

20
15
10

7.00
6.00

pH

5.00
4.00
Data Collection 1

3.00

Data Collection 2
2.00
1.00
0.00
20

40

60

80

Percentage of coconut husk added to potting soil/ %

7.00
6.90
6.80

pH

6.70

7.00

6.60
Data Collection 1

7.00

6.50

Data Collection 2

6.80

6.40

6.60

6.30

6.40

6.20

6.60
40

60

80

R husk
= 0.1556
Percentage of coconut
added to compost/ %

6.00
5.80

R = 0.0495

6.20
6.00

5.60

5.80

5.40

5.60

5.20
5.00
20.000

6.40

pH

20

6.20

pH

6.80

5.40
40.000

60.000

80.000 100.000 120.000 140.000

Na+/ppm

20.000 120.000 220.000 320.000 420.000 520.000 620.000

K+/ppm

4.4A 140.000

4.4B 600.00
550.00

120.000

500.00
450.00

80.000

K+/ppm

Na+/ppm

100.000

R = 0.1556
60.000

R = 0.0495

400.00
350.00
300.00
250.00

40.000

200.00
20.000

150.00

0.000
5.50

4.4C

100.00
6.00

6.50

pH

25.000

pH

20.000

R = 0.3017

10.000
5.000
0.000
5.60

6.10

Ca2+/ppm

5.5

6.5

pH

30.000

15.000

7.00

6.60

(B)

(A)

(C)

4.5A 700.00

4.5B 100.00
90.00

600.00

80.00
70.00

PO42-/ppm

Cl-/ppm

500.00
400.00

R = 0.2704

300.00

60.00
50.00

R = 0.0022

40.00
30.00

200.00

20.00

100.00

10.00

0.00

0.00
5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Cl-/ppm

SO42-/ppm

30.00
25.00

R = 0.4105
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
6.0

SO42-/ppm

6.0

PO42-/ppm

4.5C 35.00

5.5

5.5

6.5

7.0

6.5

7.0

(B)

(A)

(C)

Benefits of green roofs

Environmental

Social

Alleviate Urban Heat Island Effect

Reduces noise pollution

Modify temperature fluctuations

Amenities for recreation

Inhibits formation of smog

Natural stormwater management system

Filter dust particles and particulates

Increases biodiversity

Economic

Longer lifespan of roofs

Provides solar energy

Macronutrients

- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sulfur

Micronutrients

- Iron
- Boron
- Manganese
- Copper
- Zinc
- Molybdenum
- Chlorine

Plant Nutrients

MW COH 20/PS 80

0.889

166.838

0.203

33.592

0.449

3.695

MW COH 40/PS 60

1.720

278.290

19.234

1.395

0.161

21.102

MW COH 60/PS 40

1.763

411.181

0.706

12.650

2.271

30.459

MW COH 80/PS 20

2.104

591.720

0.970

9.368

3.764

0.109

55.739

MW COH 20/COM 80

2.367

253.948

0.203

26.384

0.373

0.159

48.519

MW COH 40/ COM 60

2.496

363.226

0.360

19.353

1.082

0.246

60.924

MW COH 60/ COM 40

3.089

512.300

0.635

16.144

2.766

0.246

83.464

MW COH 80/ COM 20

3.296

590.106

0.876

7.492

3.872

0.651

92.411

Anions (ppm)
Sample

Fluoride Chloride Nitrite

(F)
(Cl)
(NO2)

Sulphate
(SO4 )

Bromide
(Br)

Nitrate
(NO3)

Phosphate
(PO4)

MW COH 20/PS 80

0.889

166.838

0.203

33.592

0.449

3.695

MW COH 40/PS 60
MW COH 60/PS 40

1.720
1.763

278.290
411.181

0.706

19.234
12.650

1.395
2.271

0.161
-

21.102
30.459

MW COH 80/PS 20
MW COH 20/COM 80
MW COH 40/ COM 60
MW COH 60/ COM 40
MW COH 80/ COM 20

2.104
2.367
2.496
3.089
3.296

591.720
253.948
363.226
512.300
590.106

0.970
0.203
0.360
0.635
0.876

9.368
26.384
19.353
16.144
7.492

3.764
0.373
1.082
2.766
3.872

0.109
0.159
0.246
0.246
0.651

55.739
48.519
60.924
83.464
92.411

Cations (ppm)
Sample
MW COH 20/PS 80

Sodium
(Na+ )
47.336

Ammonium Potassium
(NH4+ )
(K+ )
134.532

Magnesium
(Mg+ )
1.358

Calcium
(Ca+ )
3.236

MW COH 40/PS 60
MW COH 60/PS 40

65.757
89.618

237.936
333.527

1.786
2.064

MW COH 80/PS 20
MW COH 20/COM 80
MW COH 40/ COM 60
MW COH 60/ COM 40
MW COH 80/ COM 20

124.478
67.574
90.196
127.148
132.759

6.618
-

473.435
370.940
427.511
514.836
535.378

2.434
10.244
9.731
6.717
6.866

23.348
23.090
11.555
7.577

Sample

TIC (mg/l)

TC (mg/l) TOC (mg/l)

MW COH 20/PS 80

2.146

33.042

30.896

MW COH 40/PS 60
MW COH 60/PS 40

1.413
0.758

34.357
44.824

32.944
44.066

MW COH 80/PS 20
MW COH 20/COM 80
MW COH 40/ COM 60
MW COH 60/ COM 40
MW COH 80/ COM 20

0.433
41.332
35.329
12.142
4.098

62.001
296.478
231.592
160.780
110.004

61.569
255.146
196.263
148.637
105.905

pH

SEC

6.55
6.8

0.484
0.842

5.68
5.91

1.316
1.616

6.91
6.88
6.76
6.53

1.31
1.474
1.788
1.785

nt
f
g
%

Percent
age of
Compo
st/ %

Cations (ppm)

Sodium
(Na+ )

Anions (ppm)

Ammonium Potassium Magnesium

(NH4+ )
(K+ )
(Mg+ )

Calcium
(Ca+ )

Fluoride
(F)

Chloride
(Cl)

Nitrite
(NO2)

Sulphate
(SO4 )

Bromide
(Br)

40.605

131.401

1.370

3.422

0.889

166.838

0.203

33.592

0.449

64.785

236.463

1.688

1.308

1.720

278.290

19.234

1.395

89.963

350.999

2.446

1.350

1.763

411.181

0.706

12.650

2.271

122.578

456.583

2.864

2.104

591.720

0.970

9.368

3.764

80

64.146

6.290

375.253

10.918

25.478

2.367

253.948

0.203

26.384

0.373

60

88.117

2.265

429.771

10.379

23.146

2.496

363.226

0.360

19.353

1.082

40

120.786

257.418

8.279

13.734

3.089

512.300

0.635

16.144

2.766

20

127.776

500.646

6.450

7.690

3.296

590.106

0.876

7.492

3.872