Investigating the Suitability of Pressmud and Coir Pith for Use as Soilless Substrate by Sem, Xrf, Uv-Vis and Ftir Spectroscopy Techniques

Abstract

Pressmud and coir pith are bulk organic substrates useful for constituting soilless media. In the instrumental investigation, the lignocellulosic organic substances predominant in coir pith and pressmud were characterized in terms of proximate constituents, elemental composition and functional groups. The elemental composition studies by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and proximate constituent analysis showed that both coir pith and pressmud contain sufficient amounts of macro-and micro-nutrients, as well as important organic constituents, such as sugar, cellulose, protein and wax. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) revealed the fibrous and porous nature of both substrates. UVvisible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses revealed the presence of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose, and other characteristics of natural fibers. The cation and anion exchange reactions and the adsorption phenomenon exhibited by coir pith and pressmud were attributed to the functional groups on their surfaces. Hence, the findings support their suitability as a growing substrate for soilless crop production.

Biological Control of Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita in Psoralea corylifolia Plant by Enhancing the Biocontrol Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum Using Press Mud

“…The peak at around 549.29 cm −1 is due to Si-H bond stretching [42]. Likewise, Rout et al [43] investigated a similar pattern when they analyzed the press mud using FTIR spectroscopy. The data in the present study showed that treatment with press mud and Trichoderma caused a significant boost on morphological criteria and yield as compared to plants inoculated with nematodes.…”

Characterization of pressmud, and evaluating the growth, yield and metal uptake response of wheat to pressmud and phosphate fertilizer application on a metal-contaminated soil

“…Firstly, PM provided P along with other nutrients to growing plants (Table 1). Secondly, PM addition added carbon to soil which subsequently increased soil microbial multiplication (Rout & Arulmozhiselvan, 2019). This increase in microbial proliferation might had supported more plant growth promotion activities in the rhizosphere.…”

Characterization and Valorization of Sugarcane Press Mud in Civil Engineering Applications

“…The ash content in PM is also significant. The ash content is on an average at least 20% except in the work reported by Rout and Arulmozhiselvan [25]. PM, in combination with bagasse, is also sometimes used as fuel [20].…”