Coco tree mat to be tested

The new product has been developed taking into consideration the soil conditions in Kerala, where an excess of water in soil and erosion of the top soil result in poor development of coconut saplings.

Koch: Coco Tree Mat in use at a farm. Photo : Special Arrangement

Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) will conduct further studies on coco tree mat, developed to take care of coconut saplings.

The new product, developed by Coirfed, has been handed over to CPCRI for further studies, said a press release here.

Multipurpose tool

The new product has been developed taking into consideration the soil conditions in Kerala, where an excess of water in soil and erosion of the top soil result in poor development of coconut saplings.

The mat has a circumference of 48 mm and depth of 12 mm. If it is spread before planting the saplings, it helps retain the moisture in the soil and also prevent the growth of weeds around the saplings.

It is estimated that between 60,000 and 75,000 coconut saplings are planted in the State annually.

However, a lot of them are lost because of lack of proper care. CPCRI has accepted the product and has expressed its willingness to experiment with it at its farms.

The experimentation period is six months and its results are expected to help the coir sector as well as coconut farmers.

Chairman S. L. Saji Kumar said in the press release that Coirfed planned to sell Coco Tree Mat as medium for growing various plants and preparing them in suitable coir pith with bio fertilizers.