Coir pith is an agro industrial by product, which is considered as a waste in the coir factory of India. Pollution created by the improper management and due to polyphenol leaching and its resistance for natural degradation has become an important social and environmental issue. Naturally coir pith is rich in potash but low in nitrogen and phosphorus. It has very high lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses and C:N ratio which makes composting process difficult and slow. Hence, an attempt was made for the effective conversion by biological treatments using different techniques and decomposing agents and enriched by natural additives. The various macro (NPK) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe) were enriched in coir pith composted by basidiomycete fungus Pleurotus sajor caju and in vermicomposting by Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida. Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus sajor caju showed highest reduction of lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses and C:N ratio. Vermicomposting technique proved to be able decomposer of coir pith when amended with 20 % of cow dung. Coir pith composting by white rot fungus P. chrysosporium and Pleurotus sp. were found to be able decomposer of lignin and cellulose. Biocomposted product can be used efficiently in hydroponic systems and organic manure for agriculture fields like growing roses, medicinal plants, vegetables, etc.
