Biodegradation of cocopeat (coir dust) was enhanced by the addition of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and inoculation with the soft rot fungus Chaetomium globosum. The N and fungally treated cocopeats had a greater percentage weight loss (27%) after 3 months compared with 7% weight loss without the added fungi and N fertilizer. In addition, their hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin contents were greatly reduced. The decay patterns examined by light microscopy were typical of soft rot and included cavity formation. A bioassay using cress (Lepidium sativum L.) showed that root growth was inhibited by raw cocopeat extracts. This inhibitory effect was virtually eliminated in extracts from the biodegraded cocopeat. This suggests that the 'composted' cocopeat appeared sufficiently mature for use as a horticultural substrate after 3 months of biodegradation.

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