16 Fantastic Floating Weeds and How to Use Them
375
studied extensively. The minimum time needed to form water hyacinth compost has
been reported to be 20–30 days. On the other hand, rest of the plants/weeds/wastes
requires up to 2–3 months to form mature compost.
16.2.7.1 Mulch
Water hyacinth is known for its use on agricultural land and/or kitchen gardens after
forming mulch. It has been reported that mulching water hyacinth on fields with
crops led to higher yield of potato (14%), ladyfinger (67%), and tomato (90%) as
compared to fields with no addition of water hyacinth mulch (Sannigrahi et al. 2002).
While, it has been seen that when additional treatments like 2,4-D herbicides and
glyphosate is given along with water hyacinth mulch then there is significant reduction in the production and growth of tomato as compared to the only water hyacinth
mulch applied tomato crops (Tesi and Lenzi 1988). Therefore, it can be commenced
that herbicide or fertilizer addition should be prohibited in fields aided with water
hyacinth mulch and extreme care needs to be taken in this regard for better crop
health (Table 16.1).
16.2.7.2 Compost
Since the Industrial Revolution generation of large quantities of waste has continuously increased across the globe. Concerning the management of this generated
waste, recycling comes out to be the most reliable strategy to deal with this problem (Bendak and Attili 2016). Composting is a natural process of degrading organic
wastes and their conversion into soil like, odorless, fertile manure called as compost. Apart from the reduction of waste, the process of composting also provides a
valuable product. The final compost usually termed as humus, which is nutrient-rich
and can be used to improve poor soils and fertilize gardens rather than using chemical fertilizers. The application of compost can also help in the soil to retain water
and thereby promoting the growing conditions of the soil. Composting is an entirely
aerobic process (Fig. 16.1).
A study by Gajalakshmi et al. (2002) was carried out on Crossandra plants (nine
varieties) with the application of water hyacinth vermicompost and compost. The
treatment of the plants with water hyacinth vermicompost had positive effect on
the plant growth and flowering as compared to the untreated crops. However, water
hyacinth compost did not improve Crossandra plant health that significantly like
vermicompost but still was comparable to the control plants. Also, five kitchen garden
sites were tested for the effect of the compost on their growth. Three of these five sites
were treated with water hyacinth vermicompost and the rest two with water hyacinth
compost. In the absence of any other chemical fertilizer or manure, it was observed
that there were no harmful effects on the crops. The plots that had water hyacinth
compost added to them had yielded better crops than the rest. Shoot and root length,
number of leaves and flowers, biomass and crop yield index had increased in those
375
studied extensively. The minimum time needed to form water hyacinth compost has
been reported to be 20–30 days. On the other hand, rest of the plants/weeds/wastes
requires up to 2–3 months to form mature compost.
16.2.7.1 Mulch
Water hyacinth is known for its use on agricultural land and/or kitchen gardens after
forming mulch. It has been reported that mulching water hyacinth on fields with
crops led to higher yield of potato (14%), ladyfinger (67%), and tomato (90%) as
compared to fields with no addition of water hyacinth mulch (Sannigrahi et al. 2002).
While, it has been seen that when additional treatments like 2,4-D herbicides and
glyphosate is given along with water hyacinth mulch then there is significant reduction in the production and growth of tomato as compared to the only water hyacinth
mulch applied tomato crops (Tesi and Lenzi 1988). Therefore, it can be commenced
that herbicide or fertilizer addition should be prohibited in fields aided with water
hyacinth mulch and extreme care needs to be taken in this regard for better crop
health (Table 16.1).
16.2.7.2 Compost
Since the Industrial Revolution generation of large quantities of waste has continuously increased across the globe. Concerning the management of this generated
waste, recycling comes out to be the most reliable strategy to deal with this problem (Bendak and Attili 2016). Composting is a natural process of degrading organic
wastes and their conversion into soil like, odorless, fertile manure called as compost. Apart from the reduction of waste, the process of composting also provides a
valuable product. The final compost usually termed as humus, which is nutrient-rich
and can be used to improve poor soils and fertilize gardens rather than using chemical fertilizers. The application of compost can also help in the soil to retain water
and thereby promoting the growing conditions of the soil. Composting is an entirely
aerobic process (Fig. 16.1).
A study by Gajalakshmi et al. (2002) was carried out on Crossandra plants (nine
varieties) with the application of water hyacinth vermicompost and compost. The
treatment of the plants with water hyacinth vermicompost had positive effect on
the plant growth and flowering as compared to the untreated crops. However, water
hyacinth compost did not improve Crossandra plant health that significantly like
vermicompost but still was comparable to the control plants. Also, five kitchen garden
sites were tested for the effect of the compost on their growth. Three of these five sites
were treated with water hyacinth vermicompost and the rest two with water hyacinth
compost. In the absence of any other chemical fertilizer or manure, it was observed
that there were no harmful effects on the crops. The plots that had water hyacinth
compost added to them had yielded better crops than the rest. Shoot and root length,
number of leaves and flowers, biomass and crop yield index had increased in those