scholarly journals Potential of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as Compost and its Effect on Soil and Plant Properties: A Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.L. Rasmiya Begum ◽  
S.M.M.S. Himaya ◽  
S.M.M.S. Afreen

Water hyacinth, the devastating weed grows in water bodies either naturally or as a result of human interference, is considered as threat to environment due to its negative effects on aquatic ecosystems. To alleviate its negative impact utilization of those become as better mean in recent decades. As such, water hyacinth is known to has potential to be utilized as nutrient source via composting, all most all types of composting techniques are applicable in preparation of compost from water hyacinth. Being an organic source, water hyacinth helps build up soil organic matter, in turn play vital role in the enrichment of the soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Aggregation of soil particles, porosity, density, water holding capacity, nutrient availability, cation exchange capacity, pH, soil microorganism are the soil properties reported to improve with water hyacinth compost application. Moreover, water hyacinth compost seems to be far better than the animal manures in improvement of soil properties. As a result, water hyacinth compost shows magnificent effect of plant agronomic growth parameters such as germination percentage, number of leaves, leaf area index, plant height, length of shoot and root, root: shoot ratio, biomass content as well as yield parameters. However, utilization of water hyacinth has few challenges like difficulties in harvesting, chance for heavy metal accumulation, hardness during decomposition, less awareness. Properly managed water hyacinth compost would serve as an alternative for inorganic nutrient sources in future thus indirectly the threat caused by this aquatic weed on environmental would become minimum.

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 461-470
Author(s):  
Tariq & et al.

The study was conducted to examine the effect of surface burn severity (Moderate, Severe and Unburned) of wheat straw on soil properties. The results showed statistical differences in some soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Bulk density and field capacity increased statistically by the severity of fire; however, porosity and infiltration rate were statistically lower in sever burned plot when compared to unburned plot. The chemical properties, soil organic matter (SOM), P, Ca, S, Cl, K, Mo, Fe and As were not affected by the fire. The pH value was increased slightly by increasing the fire severity, while, EC was decreased when compared with the unburned plot. It was found a statistical reduction in the number of bacterial and fungal cells per gram soil in the burned plots. A moderate and severe fire reduced seed germination percentage significantly. This finding suggests that fire severity may destruct the biological, physical and some of the chemical properties of the soil, and this may impact negatively on plant growth in the next growing season.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13842
Author(s):  
Qurat-ul-Ain ◽  
Aisha Nazir ◽  
Sergio C. Capareda ◽  
Muhammad Shafiq ◽  
Firdaus-e-Bareen

Cotton gin trash, the by-product of the cotton ginning industry which is produced in large quantities every year, can be utilized as feedstock for deriving high quality organic materials such as biochar, compost and co-composted derivates for improvement of soils’ key physical, chemical and biological properties. This is the first report in which cotton gin trash was both thermally and biologically converted at the same time into biochar (BC), compost (C) and co-compost (Coc), and their effects on soil properties and on plant performance were examined. In order to find the optimum rate, the products were used as soil amendments in a greenhouse experiment at 2.5 t ha−1, 5 t ha−1and 10 t ha−1 rates. All of the amendments contributed in improving the soil properties and provided agronomic benefits to plants, however plants (radish var. Cherry belle) showed significantly (p < 0.05) better growth attributes and almost a 315% increase in biomass yield observed when co-composted biochar (10 t ha−1) was applied to the soil, thus suggesting its role in compensating fertilizer application. Amendments (2.5 and 5.0 t ha−1) considerably increased plant growth parameters; however, differences between 5 and 10 t ha−1 amendments were not so significant. As a result, replenishing soil with Coc (5 t ha−1) on a regular basis can promote plant growth and improve soil qualities over time.


2017 ◽  
Vol 104 (4 - 6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prithiv Raj V ◽  
◽  
Ilakiya T ◽  
Nivedha P ◽  
Shahaya Sharmila A ◽  
...  

An experiment was conducted during 2016-2017 to assess the efficacy of co-composting technique for generating quality manure out of the noxious aquatic weed, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Locally available organic substrates viz., crop residues and cow dung were mixed with water hyacinth and co-inoculated with the fungal culture, Pleurotus djamor @ 0.05% and the earth worm, Eudrillus eugineae @ 0.2%. The treatment encompassing water hyacinth + crop residue + cow dung (1:1:1) along with P. djamor and E.eugineae showed higher mean values of total “N” (0.93%), “P” (1.00%), “K” (1.10%) content of manure, germination percentage (100 % each) and vigour index of 13.90 and 12.85, respectively for cluster bean and tomato ; whereas, water hyacinth + crop residues (1:1) without the bio-inoculants recorded higher mean total organic carbon of 40.85 %.


2020 ◽  
pp. 82-91

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Nypa fruticans pruning regimes on the regeneration of mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa) at Okorombokho in Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The Nypa was pruned at a uniform height of 10 cm and the area protected with used fishing nets against infiltration by Nypa seeds in tidal floods. Mangrove plants of similar height were interplanted among pre-existing stands, out of which ten plants were tagged in each sub-plot for the measurement of plant height, leaf area index, and stem girth. Three pruning regimes (0, 4, and 6 weekly pruning (WPR) were adopted and soil samples were collected from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths. The study was a 3x2 factorial in randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil properties showed consistent differences with depth than with pruning regimes. Bulk density (BD) was statistically similar, averaging 1.04 and 1.06 Mgm-3 in 0-15 and 15-30 cm, respectively, while saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), respectively averaged 0.64 and 0.27 cm h-1 . Electrical conductivity (EC), available phosphorous (Av.P) and base saturation (BS) were significantly (p≤0.05) greater in 4WPR (5.77 dS m-1 ; 30.07 mg g-1 ; 85.4%) than 6WPR (4.54 dS m-1 ; 25.82 mg g1 ; 76.2%) and 0WPR (3.57 dS m-1 ; 23.02 mg g-1 ; 74.3%). Plant height (PH) of mangrove averaged throughout the study was significantly (p≤0.05) greater in 4WPR (80.3 cm) than 0WPR (62.5 cm) but similar to 6WPR (73.4 cm). Stem girth (SG) of mangrove was similar but in the order 4WPR (1.06 cm)>6WPR (0.98 cm)>0WPR(0.86 cm). The pattern of variation in other mangrove growth parameters was similar to plant height and stem girth. The study also showed that PH and SG were negatively correlated with sand, Av.P, and EA but positively correlated with silt and clay, EC, and BS. Results indicated that mangrove species (Rhizophora racemosa) growth was optimum 4WPR than 0WPR and 6WPR and could, therefore, be recommended as a management practice for controlling the growth of Nypa fruticans and regenerating mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa) in the study area.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayalakshmi Mitnala

A field experiment on sugarcane was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirapalli with the view to identify sodic tolerant variety and suitable amendment for sodic soil. Four sugarcane varieties viz Co Si (Sc) 6, Co C (Sc) 86032, Co C (Sc) 23 and Co G (Sc) 5 and three amendments viz pressmud @ 12.5 t ha -1, gypsum @ 4.8 t ha -1 and bottom slag @ 15 t ha-1 were studied along with the unamended control in the experiment were studied. The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The observations on germination percentage, tillers, plant height, leaf area index, number of internodes, internodal length, cane length, cane girth, single cane weight and number of millable canes, were recorded. The results revealed that sugarcane varieties Co G (Sc) 5 and Co C (Sc) 23 gave better growth characters as compared to the Co Si (Sc) 6 and Co C (Sc) 86032 under sodic soil. The sugarcane varieties namely Co G (Sc) 5 and Co C (Sc) 23 were found to be superior in respect of both germination percentage and number of millable canes, hence these might be considered suitable for growing under sodic soil.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1764-1771
Author(s):  
Yigerm Mengist ◽  
Yohannes Moges

Water hyacinth (Eichhprnia crassipes) is the most dangerous and worst invasive aquatic weed in the worldwide including Ethiopia, and negatively affecting millions of water resources, fisheries, transportation and social structure. Water hyacinth was introduced in the water bodies of the Rift Valley in 68years ago and currently, the weed is distributed Lake Tana, Lake Abaya, Lake Koka, Koka Dam. The wide distribution and abundance of water hyacinth has led to decreased water availability and sustainable water biodiversity in Ethiopian lakes. However, the spread of water hyacinth is threatening not only water biodiversity but also socioeconomic development and human wellbeing. Water hyacinth in water bodies and nearby areas the local stakeholder has its negative impact on environmental problem and it’s influenced aquatics biodiversity. This review paper aimed to investigate the distribution, impacts and its integrated management option against water hyacinth in Ethiopia. Therefore, based on the review it can be concluded that human intervention is considered as the current problem of water resource in the country and further study is needed to sustain the water resource are needed to keep water hyacinth at unproblematic levels.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-53
Author(s):  
Anane Sereñina ◽  
◽  
Suzette Lina ◽  

Forests play a vital role in the global carbon cycle since these are sources and sinks of carbon. This study was conducted to evaluate the changes in soil carbon stocks and some essential nutrients of different succession stages in two different soil types in Leyte Province. A space-fortime substitution approach was done in this study. Measurements of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soils were done following standard methods. The sites were characterized as Ultisol (Site 1 – Baybay, Leyte) and Andisol (Site 2 – Ormoc City). Results showed no significant differences among all the soil properties in the different forest succession stages in each site. However, variation in soil properties between sites was clearly observed. Site 2 had higher soil porosity and water holding capacity, but had lower bulk density than Site 1. Soils in Site 2 were more acidic, had higher total organic carbon, total N, and CEC but had pot, lower exchangeable bases and CEC than in Site 1. Both sites had low eff available P. The C:N ratios in all forest successions were significantly lower in Site 1 than in Site 2. This conforms to the results of substrate-induced respiration, where Site 1 was more active in CO evolution than Site 2. 2 Moreover, the soils in Site 2 significantly contained more SOC stocks (108- -1 -1 180 Mg C ha ) than in Site 1 (49-76 Mg C ha ). However, SOC stocks did not vary significantly in both sites. This result implies that the determination of soil physico-chemical properties is important in evaluating the changes of C:N ratios as well as of SOC stocks. In this study, Andisols had higher potential in storing organic C than Ultisols.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.K. Hasan ◽  
M.S. Islam ◽  
M.R. Islam ◽  
H.N. Ismaan ◽  
A. El Sabagh

Abstract A laboratory experiment regarding germination and seedling growth test was conducted with three black gram genotypes tested under three salinity levels (0, 75 and 150 mM), for 10 days, in sand culture within small plastic pot, to investigate the germination and seedling growth characteristics. Different germination traits of all black gram genotypes, like germination percentage (GP), germination rate (GR), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG) greatly reduced, as well as mean germination time (MGT) increased with increasing salt stress. At high salt stress, BARI Mash-3 provided the highest GP reduction (28.58%), while the lowest was recorded (15.79% to control) in BARI Mash-1. Salinity have the negative impact on shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry weights. The highest (50.32% to control) and lowest reduction (36.39%) of shoot length were recorded in BARI Mash-2 and BARI Mash-1, respectively, under 150 mM NaCl saline conditions. There were significant reduction of root lengths, root fresh and dry weight, shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weight in all genotypes under saline condition. The genotypes were arranged as BARI Mash-1 > BARI Mash-3 > BARI Mash-2, with respect to salinity tolerance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 437-451
Author(s):  
Malkiet Kaur ◽  
Gayatri Devi ◽  
Manju Nagpal ◽  
Manjinder Singh ◽  
Gitika A. Dhingra ◽  
...  

Background: Coronavirus has become a life-threatening disease and it is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This new strain of coronavirus is not completely understood and to date, there is no treatment for coronavirus. Traditional ayurvedic medicines, mainly essential oils and Chinese herbs, have always played a vital role in the prevention and treatment of several epidemics and pandemics. In the meantime, guidelines of the ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha and homoepathy) include a traditional medicinal treatment for flu and fever and also recommended to boost immunity to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It is not possible to find which essential oil will offer the best level of protection. However, it is likely to assume that some essential oils are likely to offer a measurable level of defense in the same way they do with many other known viruses. Methods: Literature relevant to various essential oils having antiviral activity has been collected and compiled. Various nanocarriers of essential oils have also been stated. The database was collected using various search engines such as J-Gate, Google Scholar, Sci-Hub, PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc. Results: Essential oils contain active constituents such as phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenyl propanoids, etc., which are responsible for their biological properties such as antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and many more. However, the use of essential oils has always been limited due to poor solubility, solvent toxicity, volatility and low solubility. Many nanotechnology based carriers especially, liposomes, dendrimers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsion and microemulsion, etc. have been evidenced to overcome limitations associated with essential oils. Conclusion: Several essential oils possess potent antiviral activity and are characterized by fewer side effects and are safe for human use. The nanocarrier systems of these oils have proved the potential to treat viral and bacterial infections. Lay Summary: Current COVID-19 era demands traditional treatment for immunity boost up as support therapy. Traditional ayurvedic medicines, mainly essential oils and Chinese herbs, have always played a vital role in the prevention and treatment of several epidemics and pandemics. Therefore, authors have summarized various essential oils having antiviral activity in current manuscript. Various nanocarriers of essential oils have been reported. Essential oils contain active constituents such as phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenyl propanoids, etc., which are responsible for their biological properties such as antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity. However, the use of essential oils has always been limited due to poor solubility, solvent toxicity, volatility and low solubility. Many nanotechnology based carriers especially, liposomes, dendrimers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsion and microemulsion, etc. have been evidenced to overcome limitations associated with essential oils. The nanocarrier systems of these oils have proved the potential to treat viral and bacterial infections.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
ANURADHA PATEL ◽  
POONAM VERMA ◽  
SHARDA CHOUDHARY ◽  
ARVIND KUMAR VERMA

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecumL.) is an annual crop, mainly used as a spiceand leafy vegetable crop in many parts of the world. Classical breeding in fenugreek is restricted due to its low genetic variability and small flower size which hamper manual emasculation and pollination. Mutation breeding is an effective way to enrich genetic variability in crop plants. An experiment was conducted to determine the lethal dose of the physical mutagen gamma rays in fenugreek. The dry seeds of fenugreek were exposed to different doses of gamma rays i.e. 150Gy, 200Gy, 250Gy, 300Gy and 350Gy. These irradiated seeds were sown in the Petri plates with non-irradiated seeds (control). As the dose of gamma rays increased, there was a decrease in germination percentage, seedling survival, root length, shoot length and vigour index. Among five doses of gamma rays, the maximum seed germination was observed at lowest dose 150Gy (93%), followed by 200Gy (83%), 250Gy (76%), 300Gy (76%) and 350Gy (64%). The seedling survival was decreased from 90% (in control) to 56% in 350Gy dose of gamma rays. The gamma rays dose of 150Gy gave stimulatory effect on seedlings growth. The growth parameters were dose dependent, as the dose of gamma rays increased from 200Gy to 350Gy. The gamma rays dose of 350Gy showed 64% seeds germination and 56% of seedlings survival. Therefore, it is concluded that the LD50 dose for fenugreek is close to 350Gy. This information would be highly useful for initiating mutation breeding programme in fenugreek


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