Water Hyacinth As a Source of Nitrogen
Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) is a rapidly growing invasive aquatic weed that has caused blocked waterways and destroys native habitats. Positively, water hyacinth can be used as a source of organic biomass for fertilizer that contains high levels of nitrogen. Does this Spark an idea?
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Description
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Water hyacinth is a free-floating tropical aquatic plant with bulbous stems and green waxy leaves. The flowers are purple and sometimes white.
Rapid Reproduction
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Water hyacinth reproduces very rapidly asexually by natural plant division. It is estimated that one plant can produce 248 new plants every 90 days.
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Nitrogen Content
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Although studies are still in development, scientists suspect water hyacinth has a higher nitrogen content than other invasive aquatic weeds. Water hyacinth tends to store nitrogen it gets from the water in its fibrous root system.
Composting
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Rice patty farm When composted, water hyacinth is a very effective fertilizer for crops. It is used in many developing countries among poor farmers as a primary source of fertilizer.
Compost Composition
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The recipe for compost is generally one part dried water hyacinth, one part wood chips or wood ashes and one part animal manure. In developed countries, mostly animal manure is used; in some underdeveloped countries human waste is used.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Bruce Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of WRI Staff
