Aquatic weeds can pose a whole lot of problems to the environment as well as humans. Water hyacinth is the most widespread and notorious aquatic weed that is said to be found in almost all parts of the world. It has infested a whole lot of water bodies across the globe, leading to numerous problems. So, water hyacinth control is a necessity, for humans as well as other aquatic creatures and the environment in whole.
Water Hyacinth Information
Most of us are familiar with floating masses of water hyacinth, which have round dark green leaves and purple/lavender flowers. This plant with a fibrous root system spread very fast, as they propagate vegetatively as well as through seeds. It is said that only a few weeks are needed for the water hyacinths to cover a large area. It is commonly found in streams, lakes, ponds, waterways, ditches, marshy areas, backwaters, etc. These plants are sold by some garden centers, as they are grown in ponds, due to the showy flowers and floating foliage. But, if not properly controlled, these plants can take over the whole pond, thereby affecting life of other aquatic plants and animals.
The uncontrolled growth of water hyacinth in the water bodies across the globe has created a host of problems, like, blockage of waterways. This affects navigation through lakes, inland waterways, etc. Intertwined water hyacinth form a dense mat that impossible to cross. Even fishing will be affected by such infestation. Such infestation is one of the major causes for clogging of irrigation pipes, intakes of hydropower systems, etc. Even water supply systems and drainage systems can get clogged up with these weeds. It can also be a cause of floods, as they block normal water flow through the rivers, canals, etc. The loss of water from water bodies, through evapotranspiration is said to be much higher, in case of water hyacinth infestation.
As these plants can make the water oxygen-deprived, other aquatic plants and animals living in that water body will eventually get eradicated. One of the major problems caused by water hyacinth is that its infestation creates a habitat for diseases carrying vectors, like, mosquitoes, leading to health problems, like, malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, etc.
How to Control Water Hyacinth
Water hyacinth control methods are classified into three major sections - chemical, biological and physical control. While, chemical control is not favored due to the possible impact on the environment, physical control can be costly and may not be suitable for controlling large infestations. Biological control is by far preferred as the best methods for eliminating water hyacinth.
Chemical Control: As the name rightly suggests, chemical control implies the use of chemicals, in the form of herbicides, like, 2,4-d, Diquat, Glyphosate, etc. Even though, this method is found to be successful for smaller infestations, chemical control may not be suitable for large areas. Another drawback is that you need skilled persons for application of these herbicides. Above all, these chemicals may cause some negative environmental impact too. They may affect the life of other aquatic animals and plants as well as humans, who use the water. It is said that endothall dipotassium salt is safe to be used for this purpose. But, if you are planning for chemical methods, then, contact an expert, beforehand.
Physical Control: This option refers to water hyacinth removal from the infested water bodies. This can be done manually or with the help of machines. While, for smaller infestations, manual or physical removal is one of the best methods, in case of large infestations, it requires a whole lots of aquatic machinery or aquatic weed harvesters. You may also require some terrestrial vehicles for transporting the weed removed from the water body. Even the cost of this transportation can be enormous, as these weeds are too heavy due to the high water content.
Biological Control: Biological control of water hyacinths involve introducing the natural enemies of this plant. This include insects, pathogens or arachnids. Weevils, like, Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi; moths, like, Niphograpta albiguttalis; mites, like, Orthogalumna terebrantis; bugs, like, Eccritotarsus catarinensis, etc are released into water bodies with heavy infestation of water hyacinth. Even domestic geese are said to work wonders, as far as water hyacinth control is concerned. These birds feed on this aquatic weed, thereby reducing the infestation. Even though, these methods can take several years to show the results, by far, they are said to be the best, in terms of environmental safety as well as expenses.
In short, water hyacinth control is very mush necessary, so as to prevent a host of problems that can negatively impact our health and economy. So, prevent their spread and in case of infestation, take measures to get rid of them at the earliest.
Water Hyacinth Information
Most of us are familiar with floating masses of water hyacinth, which have round dark green leaves and purple/lavender flowers. This plant with a fibrous root system spread very fast, as they propagate vegetatively as well as through seeds. It is said that only a few weeks are needed for the water hyacinths to cover a large area. It is commonly found in streams, lakes, ponds, waterways, ditches, marshy areas, backwaters, etc. These plants are sold by some garden centers, as they are grown in ponds, due to the showy flowers and floating foliage. But, if not properly controlled, these plants can take over the whole pond, thereby affecting life of other aquatic plants and animals.
The uncontrolled growth of water hyacinth in the water bodies across the globe has created a host of problems, like, blockage of waterways. This affects navigation through lakes, inland waterways, etc. Intertwined water hyacinth form a dense mat that impossible to cross. Even fishing will be affected by such infestation. Such infestation is one of the major causes for clogging of irrigation pipes, intakes of hydropower systems, etc. Even water supply systems and drainage systems can get clogged up with these weeds. It can also be a cause of floods, as they block normal water flow through the rivers, canals, etc. The loss of water from water bodies, through evapotranspiration is said to be much higher, in case of water hyacinth infestation.
As these plants can make the water oxygen-deprived, other aquatic plants and animals living in that water body will eventually get eradicated. One of the major problems caused by water hyacinth is that its infestation creates a habitat for diseases carrying vectors, like, mosquitoes, leading to health problems, like, malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, etc.
How to Control Water Hyacinth
Water hyacinth control methods are classified into three major sections - chemical, biological and physical control. While, chemical control is not favored due to the possible impact on the environment, physical control can be costly and may not be suitable for controlling large infestations. Biological control is by far preferred as the best methods for eliminating water hyacinth.
Chemical Control: As the name rightly suggests, chemical control implies the use of chemicals, in the form of herbicides, like, 2,4-d, Diquat, Glyphosate, etc. Even though, this method is found to be successful for smaller infestations, chemical control may not be suitable for large areas. Another drawback is that you need skilled persons for application of these herbicides. Above all, these chemicals may cause some negative environmental impact too. They may affect the life of other aquatic animals and plants as well as humans, who use the water. It is said that endothall dipotassium salt is safe to be used for this purpose. But, if you are planning for chemical methods, then, contact an expert, beforehand.
Physical Control: This option refers to water hyacinth removal from the infested water bodies. This can be done manually or with the help of machines. While, for smaller infestations, manual or physical removal is one of the best methods, in case of large infestations, it requires a whole lots of aquatic machinery or aquatic weed harvesters. You may also require some terrestrial vehicles for transporting the weed removed from the water body. Even the cost of this transportation can be enormous, as these weeds are too heavy due to the high water content.
Biological Control: Biological control of water hyacinths involve introducing the natural enemies of this plant. This include insects, pathogens or arachnids. Weevils, like, Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi; moths, like, Niphograpta albiguttalis; mites, like, Orthogalumna terebrantis; bugs, like, Eccritotarsus catarinensis, etc are released into water bodies with heavy infestation of water hyacinth. Even domestic geese are said to work wonders, as far as water hyacinth control is concerned. These birds feed on this aquatic weed, thereby reducing the infestation. Even though, these methods can take several years to show the results, by far, they are said to be the best, in terms of environmental safety as well as expenses.
In short, water hyacinth control is very mush necessary, so as to prevent a host of problems that can negatively impact our health and economy. So, prevent their spread and in case of infestation, take measures to get rid of them at the earliest.
