18 A Water Hyacinth Harvester
195
• Fruit capsules are 10–15 mm long, contain up to 300 seeds.
• Seeds are egg-shaped, 0.5–1.5 mm long [5].
18.2.4 Effects of Water Hyacinth
18.2.4.1 Effects of Water Hyacinth to Navigation
Due to the invasion of water hyacinth, boats, ships and other marine vessels cannot
navigate well. Water hyacinth affects navigation, water flow, recreational use of
aquatic systems, and poses of mechanical damage to hydroelectric systems.
Reference [6] reported that, proliferation of water hyacinth has hampered water
transport and growth at inland ports on lake Victoria, which has a mean depth of 40 m
and covers 69,500 km
2 . Limited lake transport has reduced the business potential of
the ports of Kisumu in Kenya, Bukoba, Entebbe, Port Bell and Jinja in Uganda, and
Mwanza in Tanzania.
18.2.4.2 Effects of Water Hyacinth on Fishing Industry
In lakes Kyoga, Albert, and Victoria, the massive growth of water hyacinth is causing
serious disruption to commercial fishing due to its obstruction of fishing and landing
sites. It is also believed that its presence along the shores has had a major impact on
tilapia nesting, through lowering the dissolved oxygen above such sites and shading
[7].
18.2.4.3 Effects of Water Hyacinth on Livestock
A study done by potential rich dairy cattle breeds known as Fogera breeds shows that
the shore area of lake Tana is rich in submersing grass (including hippo grass) which
feeds lots of cattle for the surrounding inhabitants. Nonetheless, due to the expansion
of water hyacinth and its competition with the native species the submerging grasses
and other native species become devastated. This affects a lot of cattle which are
directly and indirectly dependent on the grass around the lake. Some respondents
purchase supplementary feeds for their cattle because the grass on the grazing lands
around the lake has been destroyed by the invasive water hyacinth [8].
18.2.4.4 Effects of Water Hyacinth on Crop Production
According to reference [8], water hyacinth also affects the production of crops. The
study shows that mat of water hyacinth during flooding and wave time makes rice
production frustrating by totally covering the rice field. One thing that most of the
195
• Fruit capsules are 10–15 mm long, contain up to 300 seeds.
• Seeds are egg-shaped, 0.5–1.5 mm long [5].
18.2.4 Effects of Water Hyacinth
18.2.4.1 Effects of Water Hyacinth to Navigation
Due to the invasion of water hyacinth, boats, ships and other marine vessels cannot
navigate well. Water hyacinth affects navigation, water flow, recreational use of
aquatic systems, and poses of mechanical damage to hydroelectric systems.
Reference [6] reported that, proliferation of water hyacinth has hampered water
transport and growth at inland ports on lake Victoria, which has a mean depth of 40 m
and covers 69,500 km
2 . Limited lake transport has reduced the business potential of
the ports of Kisumu in Kenya, Bukoba, Entebbe, Port Bell and Jinja in Uganda, and
Mwanza in Tanzania.
18.2.4.2 Effects of Water Hyacinth on Fishing Industry
In lakes Kyoga, Albert, and Victoria, the massive growth of water hyacinth is causing
serious disruption to commercial fishing due to its obstruction of fishing and landing
sites. It is also believed that its presence along the shores has had a major impact on
tilapia nesting, through lowering the dissolved oxygen above such sites and shading
[7].
18.2.4.3 Effects of Water Hyacinth on Livestock
A study done by potential rich dairy cattle breeds known as Fogera breeds shows that
the shore area of lake Tana is rich in submersing grass (including hippo grass) which
feeds lots of cattle for the surrounding inhabitants. Nonetheless, due to the expansion
of water hyacinth and its competition with the native species the submerging grasses
and other native species become devastated. This affects a lot of cattle which are
directly and indirectly dependent on the grass around the lake. Some respondents
purchase supplementary feeds for their cattle because the grass on the grazing lands
around the lake has been destroyed by the invasive water hyacinth [8].
18.2.4.4 Effects of Water Hyacinth on Crop Production
According to reference [8], water hyacinth also affects the production of crops. The
study shows that mat of water hyacinth during flooding and wave time makes rice
production frustrating by totally covering the rice field. One thing that most of the