Abstract
The influence of pH, temperature and organic matter on the degradation of the lignin-cellulose complex of coconut fibres was studied. Many fungi (deuteromycetes and ascomycetes) and bacteria were isolated from partly decayed coir. The decomposition of the coconut fibres by these isolates was estimated, imitating field conditions. Some fungi of the genera tested were able to partly decompose the coconut fibres after long incubation periods. However, the quick and total decay of the coir wrapper around drain pipes seems to be caused by basidiomycetes only.
