Effects of 2,4-D on mature and juvenile plants of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms)

The effects of various concentrations of the herbicide 2,4-D were investigated on two vegetative forms of water hyacinth including juvenile and mature forms. The results obtained suggest that efficient chemical control of water hyacinth may be best applied at the early stages of vegetative development of the water hyacinth, i.e. at the juvenile phase. This would require the use of 2,4-D at a concentration of 60 000 ppm (2.2 kg/ ha) which equals to half the rate of 2,4-D normally used for control of water hyacinth in the Sudan. The lower rate of 2,4-D not only means a considerable reduction in quantity and cost of the consumed herbicide but also a substantial minimisation in the level at which pollution may build up in the White Nile of the Sudan.     

太湖开阔水域凤眼莲的放养实验

１９９１－１９９３年在无锡市马山自来水厂太湖水源区开展的旨在除去藻类和净化水质的物理生态工程实验结果表明,在常有大风浪的太湖开阔水域凤眼莲能正常生长繁殖,夏季的净生产力达５００ｇ／ｍ＾２／ｄ左右。根据实验所得,探讨了在该湖开阔水域放养凤眼莲的技术,研究了凤眼莲在不同时期,不同密度下的生产力,增长率,适宜放养密度等,提出了对凤眼莲生长的计算方法,在此基础上,对比分析了凤眼莲在太湖与内塘生长的个体生物     

水葫芦对藻类的克制效应

水葫芦对藻类生长有克制作用。其机制主要是由于水葫芦根系向水体分泌的有机物质能伤害和杀死藻类。用水葫芦种植水培养藻类,使藻类的光合作用速率显著降低,叶绿素a破坏,细胞还原TTC的能力下降。在荧光显微镜下可看到藻细胞从鲜红色变为淡蓝绿色。     

High-rate composting-vermicomposting of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes,Mart. Solms)

In an attempt to develop a system with which the aquatic weed water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes, Mart. Solms) can be economically processed to generate vermicompost in large quantities, the weed was first composted by a 'high-rate' method and then subjected to vermicomposting in reactors operating at much larger densities of earthworm than recommended hitherto: 50, 62.5, 75, 87.5, 100, 112.5, 125, 137.5, and 150 adults of Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg per litre of digester volume. The composting step was accomplished in 20 days and the composted weed was found to be vermicomposted three times as rapidly as uncomposted water hyacinth [Bioresource Technology 76 (2001) 177]. The studies substantiated the feasibility of high-rate composting-vermicomposting systems, as all reactors yielded consistent vermicast output during seven months of operation. There was no earthworm mortality during the first four months in spite of the high animal densities in the reactors. In the subsequent three months a total of 79 worms died out of 1650, representing less than 1.6% mortality per month. The results also indicated that an increase in the surface-to-volume ratio of the reactors might further improve their efficiency.     

Effect of rhizobacteria on arsenic uptake by macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

Wastewater flowing in streams and nallahs across India carries several trace metals, including metalloid arsenic (As), which are considered serious environmental contaminants due to their toxicity, and recalcitrant nature. In this study, we determined the phytoremediation of As by Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms either alone or in association with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Pseudomonas and Azotobacter inoculation to E. crassipes resulted in enhanced As removal compared to uninoculated control. Co-inoculation with a consortium of Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Actinomyces, and Bacillus resulted in a higher As (p < 0.05) phytoaccumulation efficiency. P. aeruginosa strain jogii was found particularly effective in augmenting As removal by E. crassipes. Our findings indicate that the synergistic association of E. crassipes and various rhizobacteria is an effective strategy to enhance removal of As and thus may be utilized as an efficient biological alternative for the removal of this metalloid from wastewaters.     

Mineral nutrient demands of the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) in the White Nile

The possibility that the stunted growth of the water hyacinth in Bahr el Ghazal river in Sudan is influenced by nutrient elements is considered. Greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the effects of deficiency and mineral nutrient additions on the growth of this plant. The water hyacinth was found to grow at a wide range of nutrient levels. Maximum growth was recorded at 21 mg l^–1 N, 62 mg l^–1 P, and 0.60 mg l^–1 Fe.     

Allelopathic influence of algae on the growth of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

The growth of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms was inhibited when grown in water containing algae such as Scenedesmus bijugatis (Turp.) Kuetz, Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick and species of Aphanothece, Euglena, Merismopedia and Coelastrum. The size of plants, their dry weight and chlorophyll a and b contents and their rate of vegetative propagation were very much reduced compared with control plants grown in algae-free water. The hyacinth plants ultimately died after 90–100 days of growth with algae.     

Population dynamics of Eichhornia crassipes (C. Mart.) Solms in the Nile Delta,Egypt

The present study aims to evaluate the growth and seasonal allocation of the biomass of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) under natural conditions in the south Mediterranean region (the Nile Delta, Egypt). In this study, the population characteristics (density, morphology and primary production) over a one‐growing‐season cycle were described. In the Nile Delta, the biomass of the shoot and root systems of E.crassipes was sampled monthly along three water courses from April 2014 to November 2014 using five quadrats (each of 0.5 m × 0.5 m) at each water course. The shoot system started to grow in April (121 g/DM/m²), reached a maximum biomass of 887 g/DM/m² in July, and then decreased until reaching a minimum of 299 g/DM/m² in November. The biomass of the root system increased from 75 g/DM/m² in April to a maximum of 235 g/DM/m² in August and decreased to a minimum of 100 g/DM/m² in November. Water hyacinth allocated ca. 2% of its total biomass to stolons, 22% to laminae, 24% to roots and 52% to petioles. Peak density as high as 144 individual/m² occurred in May, but it reduced to 33–50 individual/m² during July to November. The average rate of change of biomass was maximum (17.3 g/DM/m²/day) during April and May and minimum (?8.9 g/DM/m²/day) during October and November. Relative growth rates were found to be lowest during the cooler months, October and November (?0.017 g/DM/g /day), whereas highest yields were recorded during the spring months, April and May (up to 0.044 g/DM/g/day). The correlation coefficients between the water characteristics and the first two canonical correspondence analysis axes indicated that the separation of the population parameters of water hyacinth along the first axis was negatively influenced by Zn. On the other hand, the second axis was positively correlated with electric conductivity, total N, total P, Mg, Na, K and Mn and negatively with pH.     

Effect of growth irradiance on the maximum photosynthetic capacity of water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms]

We grew water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms]for 60 days in a greenhouse under natural light and in a controlledenvironment room at 31/25?C day/night temperatures and 90, 320and 750/µEm^–2sec^–1. We then determined maximumphotosynthetic rates in 21% and 1% oxygen, stomatal diffusionresistances, contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein, andthe size and density of the photosynthetic units (PSU) in representativeleaves from the four treatments. In air containing 21% oxygen,maximum photosynthetic rates were 14, 27 and 29 mg CO₂ dm^–2hr^–1for plants grown in artificial light at 90, 320 and 750µEm^–2sec^–1,respectively. Plants grown in natural light (maximum of 2000µEm^–2sec^–1) had maximum photosynthetic ratesof 34 mg CO₂ dm^–2hr^–1. In all treatments, photosyntheticrates in 1% oxygen were about 50% greater than rates in normalair, indicating the presence of photorespiration in water hyacinth.There was no apparent relationship between maximum photosyntheticrate per unit leaf area and stomatal conductance, chlorophyllcontent per unit area, or PSU density per unit area. However,the higher maximum photosynthetic rates were associated withgreater mesophyll conductances, specific leaf weights and proteincontents per unit area. When plants grown at 90µEm^–2sec^–1for 120 days were transferred to 750µEm^–2sec^–1for 5 days, only young leaves that were just beginning to expandat the time of transfer exhibited adaptation to the higher irradiance.The 40% increase in light-saturated photosynthetic rate in theseyoung leaves was associated with increases in mesophyll conductance,soluble protein content per unit area, and specific leaf weight. ¹ Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station cooperating. (Received July 19, 1978; )     

Production of biogas from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (Mart) (Solms) in a two-stage bioreactor

A two-stage rumen-derived anaerobic digestion process was tested for the conversion of water hyacinth shoots and a mixture of the shoots with cowdung (7:3) into biogas. Under conditions similar to those of the rumen and loading rates (LR) in the range of 11.6–19.3g volatile solids (VS) l–1d–1 in the rumen reactor, the degradation efficiencies were 38% for the shoots and 43% for the mixture. The major fermentation products were volatile fatty acids (VFA) with a maximum yield of 7.92mmolg–1 VS digested, and biogas with a yield of 0.2lg–1 VS digested. The effect of varying LR, solid retention time (SRT) and dilution rates on the extent of degradation of the water hyacinth–cowdung mixture was examined. Overall conversion of the substrate was highest at the loading rate of 15.4gVS.l–1d–1. Varying the retention times between 60 and 120h had no effect on the degradation efficiency, but a decrease was observed at retention times below 60h. The overall performance of the reactor was depressed by changing the dilution rate from 0.5 to 0.34h–1. By applying a LR of 15.4VS. l–1d–1, a SRT of 90h and a dilution rate of 0.5h–1 in the rumen reactor, and connecting it to a methanogenic reactor of the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket type, 100% conversion efficiency of the VFA into biogas with a methane content of 80% was achieved. The average methane gas yield was 0.44lg–1 VS digested.     

Production of biogas from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (Mart) (Solms) in a two-stage bioreactor

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology - A two-stage rumen-derived anaerobic digestion process was tested for the conversion of water hyacinth shoots and a mixture of the shoots with...     

Chromate-tolerant bacteria for enhanced metal uptake by Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)

A total of 85 chromate-resistant bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of water hyacinth grown in Mariout Lake, Egypt, as well as the sediment and water of this habitat. Only 4 (11%), 2 (8%), and 2 (8%) of isolates from each of the environments, respectively, were able to tolerate 200 mg Cr (VI) L(-1). When these eight isolates were tested for their ability to tolerate other metals or to reduce chromate, they were shown to also be resistant to Zn, Mn, and Pb, and to display different degrees of chromate reduction (28% to 95%) under aerobic conditions. The isolates with the higher chromate reduction rates from 42% to 95%, (RA1, RA2, RA3, RA5, RA7, and RA8) were genetically diverse according to RAPD analysis using four differentprimers. Bacterial isolates RA1, RA2, RA3, RAS, and RA8 had 16 S rRNA gene sequences that were most similar to Pseudomonas diminuta, Brevundimonas diminuta, Nitrobacteria irancium, Ochrobactrum anthropi, and Bacillus cereus, respectively. Water hyacinth inoculated with RA5 and RA8 increased Mn accumulation in roots by 2.4- and 1.2-fold, respectively, compared to uninoculated controls. The highest concentrations of Cr (0.4 g kg(-1)) and Zn (0.18 g kg(-1)) were accumulated in aerial portions of water hyacinth inoculated with RA3. Plants inoculated with RA1, RA2, RA3, RA5, RA7, and RA8 had 7-, 11-, 24-, 29-, 35-, and 21-fold, respectively, higher Cr concentrations in roots compared to the control. These bacterial isolates are potential candidates in phytoremediation for chromium removal.     

The effect of ionic form and level of nitrogen on the growth and composition of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

The average daily dry matter yield, percentage nitrogen and chlorophylla content of water hyacinths were found to differ significantly when cultured in nutrient solutions containing either NH₄-N or NO₃-N. Average daily ash-free dry matter yield, cell-wall fraction, and nonstructural carbohydrate content were not significantly affected by the ionic form in which nitrogen was supplied. Varying the amount of nitrogen supplied to the water hyacinths resulted in significant differences in yield and composition. Low supplies of nitrogen result in decreased yields and fibrous plants with lower nitrogen and higher nonstructural carbohydrate content.     

Azotobacter chroococcum in the phyllosphere of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Mort. Solms)

Summary Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) harbours Azotobacter chroococcum in large numbers on and in its leaves. This may account for its prolific growth of the plants in water containing only traces of combined nitrogen. re]19721201     

Abiotic and microbial decomposition of pre- and post-bloom leaves of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (mart.) Solms)

Rates of abiotic and microbial decomposition in pre- and post-bloom leaves of water hyacinth are determined under laboratory conditions. Decomposition in all types of hyacinth leaves is dominated by physical leaching in an initial phase of 4 days duration, and later by microbial processes. The largest part of physical leaching takes place within the first 4 h. Thereafter, the weight loss due to physical leaching declines exponentially. The weight loss by microbial decomposition is minimal in the initial phase but increases exponentially in the later phase. Pre-bloom leaves decompose significantly faster than post-bloom leaves, and post-bloom green leaves decompose faster than post-bloom brown leaves. The rate constants of abiotic decomposition are significantly higher in post-bloom leaves as compared with pre-bloom leaves, while microbial decomposition is significantly higher in pre-bloom leaves. After 30 days, the dry mass loss by abiotic and microbial decomposition is 15% and 55%, respectively, in pre-bloom leaves, 33% and 19% in post-bloom green leaves, and 24% and 6% in post-bloom brown leaves.     

The influence of site and position in the plant community on the nutrient distribution in,and content of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

The distribution of 26 species of Blastocladiales, Saprolegniales, Lagenidiales and Peronosporales from temperate and sub tropical lakes, situated at different altitude in the same locality, is described. Seasonal periodicity is treated and found to be governed by temperature.     

Effect of nitrogen and fiber content on the decomposition of the waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms)

In situ rates of waterhyacinth decomposition were found to vary with tissue nitrogen and fiber content. High nitrogen (2.8%), low fiber (49%) waterhyacinth aerial tissues collected from a eutrophic site decomposed more rapidly than low nitrogen (1.3%), high fiber (58%) aerial tissues collected from a nutrient-poor site. In addition, waterhyacinth roots (65% fiber) decomposed much more slowly than aerial waterhyacinth tissues (49% fiber). Because the biomass distribution (aerial/root) and nitrogen and fiber content of waterhyacinths fluctuate both seasonally and with nitrogen availability, considerable temporal and site-to-site variability in decomposition dependent processes (e.g., sedimentation, mineralization) exist in aquatic systems infested by this species.     

The effects of varying culture nitrogen and phosphorus levels on nutrient uptake and storage by the waterhyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms

The uptake of nitrogen (N) by waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was maximal when the culture solution contained a combination of 36 ppm N and 6,53 ppm phosphorus (P). N uptake was inhibited by increasing P or decreasing N in the culture medium. Uptake of P was stimulated by the elevation of either N or P or both. An increase of P above O ppm inhibited the accumulation of N. Similarly, the accumulation of P was enhanced by increasing levels of P but was reduced with increasing levels of N. Both N and P levels were always greatest in leaves; next highest in floats and lowest in roots. High tissue levels of these two nutrients and the capacity for nutrient removal from water by waterhyacinth indicates a possible role for this plant in the reduction of eutrophication in nutrient polluted waters as well as the use of harvested, dried tissue for fertilizer.