A short reportage on

Studying the multiple usage of Water Hyacinth

Activity Period
June 2007-May 2008

Reported by

Gourab Ghosh/Soumen Purkait

Under the technical guidance from ENRE, DRCSC
Report is available at www.drcsc.org

Submitted to

Green Grant Foundation

Index

Objective
Area and Target Group
Activity Calender
Orientation Programme
Activity Report
A. Baseline
B. Current utilization pattern of Water Hyacinth
C. Water Hyacinth Calendar
D. Use as fodder
E. Propagation of Water Hyacinth
F. Composting from Different parts of Water
Hyacinth
G. Making compost
H. Workshop on Craft making from Water
Hyacinth
I. Popularizing the idea of utilizing Water
Hyacinth
J. Field trial by using Compost
Annexure: Additional Report

2
Water hyacinth is an aquatic weed growing in fresh water lakes, rivers, ponds etc. It was
originated from South America and distributed throughout the tropics. But it appears as a
potential problem in our state as well as other areas by creating blockages in ponds, canals,
Rivers etc and become a threat to other aquatic flora and fauna due to its phenomenal growth
rate. There are various technologies that have already been adopted to reduce the hazards of
water hyacinth but the benefits are temporary and sometimes costly too.

Our Objectives

Our objective is to involve the local community, especially children

• To find strategies for turning the water hyacinth into worthy resources
• To teach children how to design an experiment.
• To make them understand the benefits of compost & vermicompost as opposed to FYM,
synthetic fertilizer etc.
• To make them realize that with proper technology and management, problems can be
converted into useful resources.
• To grow their co-operative attitude with group based activity.
• To enhance the interaction between children and their natural surroundings.

Project Area and Target Group

Children of the age group 12-18 from three districts of West Bengal (i.e. East Medinipur, South
24 Pgs and North 24 Pgs) have been involved in this work. There are 12 groups, each
containing 10-25 children. Details are given below :-

GROUP SUMMARY

Sl. Network District No of group Group Name No of

No. Organization students
1. Bagaria Relief South 24 2 Rajarampur 13
Welfare Parganas(S) students group
Ambulance Belpukur Students
Society group 16
2. Dhainchabari East Medinipur 1 Dhainchebari 15
Sister Nivedita Kisore Kisori
Smriti Sangha Bahini
3. Sundarika South 24 1 16
Bartika Parganas(S)
4. Swanirvar North 24 4 Sabuj 21
Parganas(S) Agra Mukul 21
Pratibadi 20
Titumir 25
5. Phulbari South 24 1 Sabuj Bahini 7
Sundarbon Parganas(S)
Gramin Bikash
Kendra

3
6. KJKS East Medinipur 3 Sandhani Kisore 13
kisori Bahini
Bharat Kisore 11
Kisori ahini
Kochi Pata Kisore 9
Kisori Bahini
Total Organisation: 6 Districts: 3 Group: 12 Children:
187

Activity Calendar

Orientation Orientation programme was organized 29th & 30th June, 07

with 8 teachers from the partner
organization.
Shot sessions with the children at their From 15th September – 15th
villages regarding the objective of this October, 07
project, group formation, activities,
planning etc.
Activity by the Mapping of water sources in their From 1st September-1st October,
children villages and identify the sources of 07
water hyacinth.
Observation & documentation of From July, 2007- February 2008
flowering stage, growth stage,
suppression etc through out the year.
Survey and documentation of current From 1st September-1st October,
utilization pattern of water hyacinth. 07
Simple trial Drying the different parts of water From 10th October, 07 –
hyacinth December,07
Small trial on the growth/reproduction From 8th September, 07 –
rate of water hyacinth December, 07
Small trial on the decomposition rate of Form 23rd August, 07 – End of
different parts of water hyacinth by using November
simple parameters.
Trial by using compost on vegetables. From March, 2008

Small technical Training on good quality compost 15th December, 08 – 24th

sessions making from water hyacinth in a cost December, 08
efficient manner and in small scale.
A three days’ workshop on paper 3rd-5th January, 08
making, packing material, other
handicraft etc from water hyacinth.
Campaign in Poster display From March,08
the locality
Trial in the field Comparative Field trial April, May 08

4
Orientation Programme

Orientation programme was organized separately for teachers and students. At first, 8 teachers
from 7 organizations were invited for a two days orientation programme at Shaymnagar Training
Unit of DRCSC. Gourob Ghosh along with Surjakanta Das from ENRE, was there as resource
persons. The objective of the training was to make an year round plan and demonstration on
compost making procedure from water hyacinth and other related matters.

Orientation to students was given by visiting their site individually. The process of survey,
experiment setting for simple trial and compost making were introduced during those camps.

Activity Report

A. Map showing Water Hyacinth dominant water bodies of one representative village

5
( Village- Nischintapur, G.P.- Bel pukur, Block- Kulpi, Dist.- South 24 Parganas) done by Sabuj
Kisore Kisori Bahini. Similar kind of activity were done by other 11 groups.

B. Summary of current utilization pattern of water hyacinth (data collected from all
project area by the students

Different uses Method of using

Fodder Green water hyacinth leaves are collected and Used as fodder, animal
doesn’t like it very much, and initially it is mixed with other food
supplements. The leaved has to be chopped, then only it will be easier to
digest.
Fuel Whole plant body is dried and used as fuel for cooking.
Soil enhancer Chopped leaves and stems are used as composting material.
Mulch on soil Used as mulching material for growing potato, taro, elephant foot yam etc.
Water purifier Water hyacinth plants are applied in the dirty ponds to purify water
Water cooler In summer, when water becomes extremely hot, water hyacinth is used in
the ponds so that it keeps the temperature of the water under control to save
the fishes.

Children doing survey

6
C.Documentation made by students on growing stage, flowering stage and suppression
of water hyacinth (Done by Sandhani Kisore Kisori Bahini, Village- Jamuasankarpur, Block-
Kanthi III, Dist.- East Medinipur )

D.Trial on Water Hyacinth as Fodder

Group Name- Dhainchebari Kisore Kisori Bahani, East Medinipur

7
Students interviewed 10 individuals who have their own cows and feed their cows with Water
hyacinth. Villagers given their views as follows-
Individuals Cow gives more milk Cow gives less milk Other Remarks
1 Yes No Density of milk reduces
2 Yes No Density of milk reduces also cow
dung density reduces
3 Yes No Do
4 Yes No Cow dung smells bad
5 Yes No Milk does not tests well

Students Remarks: In villages many people use water hyacinth as a fodder but it does not make
good quality milk and dung.

N.B.- Same data has collected by the student groups from Swanirvar( North 24 Parganas ) and
Kankuramosat Relief Welfare Society( South 24 Parganas ).

E. Simple trial on Propagation of Water Hyacinth

Organization: Bagaria Relief Welfare Society, South 24 Pgs

Starting Date: 5th November, 07
Participants: Tumpa Maiti, Tumpa Haldar, Bandana Das, Utpal Naskar, Uttam Naskar, Pronoti
Mondal

They have prepared a barricaded area in a pond and observed the growth and reproduction of 5
water hyacinth plants.

8
Observation: Data have maintained in every week.

Time No. of Water hyacinth

After 1 month 31
After 2 month 167
After 3 month 769

From this data we can make a conclusion that water hyacinth multiplies by five times in one
month.

N.B. Same trial has conducted by two groups from Swanirvar and KJKS.

F. Composting from Different parts of Water Hyacinth.

This experiment was carried out by a student group called Titumir, Organization – Swanirvar,
North 24 Parganas. Twenty - five students were involved in this work. They have done this
experiment in two groups separately.

Material Used: Water Hyacinth and Diluted Cow dung

Tools Used: Plastic buckets, weighing machine, thermometer and measuring tape.

Procedure: Different parts of water hyacinth are chopped separately. All buckets have labeled
for their identification. The weight of empty buckets has measured. In 5 buckets different parts
of water hyacinth are filed after mixing with diluted cow dung. The following ratio and materials
have maintained in 5 buckets: -
1st Bucket: Root= 1kg, Cow dung= 0.5kg
2nd Bucket: Stem= 1kg, Cow dung= 0.5kg
3rd Bucket: Leaf= 1kg, Cow dung= 0.5kg
4th Bucket: Stem + Leaf= 1kg, cow dung= 0.5kg
5th Bucket: Stem+ leaf+ Root= 1kg, cow dung= 0.5kg

9
Observations:

Date/T Smell Colour Weig Quanti Tem Remarks if any

ime of ht ty p.
observ ( in Reduc
ation Kg.) ed
(Free
space
from
top)
1st Bucket Initial Smell Green- 1.7 15 cm. 40°C
stage from Black kg
23/08/ cow
07 dung
nd
2 Do Do 1.7 8 cm. Do
Bucket kg
3rd Do Do 1.7 10 cm. Do
Bucket kg
4th Do Do 1.7 10 cm. Do
Bucket kg
5th Do Do 1.7 13 cm. Do
Bucket kg
1st Bucket After No Blackish 1.7 16 cm 36 In upper surface yellow fern
14 smell kg have appeared
2nd days Very Green 1.7 13.5 33 Bottom portion watery, in
Bucket little blackish kg cm upper surface white small fly
appeared
3rd Smelli Green 1.7 9.5 cm 38 Cow dung and water hyacinth
Bucket ng blackish kg dried
4th No Blackish 1.7 12.5 34 Cow dung and water hyacinth
Bucket smell kg cm dried
5th No Green 1.7 13 cm 31 Semi solid and white small fly
Bucket smell blackish kg appeared
1st Bucket After 4 No Brown 1.5 17 cm 33 After mixing and turning black
weeks smell kg material appeared and there
(Turni was a bad smell.
nd
2 ng has No Brown 1.55 15.9 30 Water at bottom, stem has not
Bucket done) smell kg cm decomposed.
3rd No Reddish 1.3 11 cm 32
Bucket smell kg
4th No Blackish 1.25 15.5 28 After turning it is smelling.
Bucket smell kg cm
5th No Blackish 1.55 16.5 28
Bucket smell kg cm After turning it is smelling.
1st Bucket After 3 No Chocola 0.4 17 25 Have dried
month smell te kg
nd
2 s ( Do Black 0.75 15.9 25 Have not dried enough
Bucket Comp kg
3rd ost Do Yellow 0.35 11 25 Have dried
Bucket Prepar kg

10
4th ed) Do Yellow 0.45 15.5 25 Have dried
Bucket kg
5th Do Black 0.35 16.5 25 Have not dried enough
Bucket kg

Conclusion:

45
40
35

30 T1
T2
25
T3
20
T4
15 Week 0 Week 1 Week 4 Week 12
T5
10
5
0

Temperature curve

1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2 W1
W2
1
W3
0.8
W4
0.6 W5
0.4
0.2
0
Week 0 Week 1 Week 4 Week 12

The weight curve

It has been concluded by the group on the basis of quality that the 4th buchet containing stem,
root and cowdung has potentiality to produce good quality compost.

11
G. Making compost out of water hyacinth

All the 12 groups are actively involved in doing the same activity.

12
H. Workshop on Craft making from Water hyacinth
Date: 3rd-5th January 2008
Venue: DRCSC Project Office
Trainer: Bikram Mitra from Earth Craft
Participants: 18 participants from 7 organizations
Work Done:
• Practical session on making photo frame, pen stand from dried water hyacinth paper etc.
• There was a general discussion on how students can make use of water hyacinth locally
as a craft making material.
• Discussion on various uses of water hyacinth
• Small session with all teachers and group leaders regarding work progresses and
constrains.

I. Popularizing the idea of utilization of Water hyacinth

Campaign has been done by all the organizations among school children and community
through poster and demonstration. Students from Dhainchebari Sister Nivedita Sangha
demonstrated their water hyacinth trial and water hyacinth usage pattern in their village science
fair. Most of the student groups demonstrated their research in their own schools. Posters have
been displayed in conspicuous places drawing the attention of general people for this
promotional activity.

13
J. Field trial by using Compost
Student groups have done few small field trials by using compost. Most of the groups have
made a comparative study with chemical fertilizer (urea) and organic fertilizer( compost from
water hyacinth ).

14
One of these trials is describe bellow:-

Name of the student group: Kalsur Kisore Kisori Bahini, Swanirvar, North 24 Parganas
Trial made: Effect of organic fertilizers in comparison with chemical fertilizers
Details: Two separate bed having same area (11ft Χ 3ft ) was made on 21st April,2008.
Inputs used:
Organic Bed Inorganic bed
Date Input Quantity Date Input Quantity
24.04.08 Compost 7.3kg 24.04.08 Suphala 0.5kg
20:20
24.04.08 Amaranthus 2 gm 24.04.08 Amaranthus 2 gm
seed seed
24.04.08 Water 10 bucket, 1 24.04.08 Water 10 bucket, 1
bucket= 10 bucket= 10 lit.
lit.

15
 07.05.08 Water 10 bucket, 1 24.04.08 Water 10 bucket, 1
bucket= 10 bucket= 10 lit.
lit.

Remarks: Water was not required for few days because of rain.

Observations: In two separate bed seedlings appeared on same date i.e. on 28.04.08.

Date Seedling’s Height on Remarks Seedling’s Height on Remarks

Organic Bed( in inorganic Bed(in
inches) Inches)
03.05.08 1 High 1 Low
germination germination
rate rate
08.05.08 3 Fresh and 1.5 Cooperatively
green less green
13.05.08 6 4.5
18.05.08 8 Leafy area 6 Leafy area
acquires acquires less
more space space

Conclusion: From the above observations students decided that organic manure is giving far
more better result than chemical fertilizer and it costs nothing, but only labour. Now they are
making two separate trial on the same topic.

Few trials are still going on.

16
Annexure (A scientific Trial done simultaneously by DRCSC)

Water Hyacinth as a composting mateial

Anshuman Das, S.P. Raychoudhury, Mintu Mallik and Gourav Ghosh
Development Researc Communication and Services Centre

Background

Water hyacinth was originated in Amazon basin and distributed through out the tropics due to its
attractive purple flower. Mature plants consist of roots, rhizomes, stolon, leaves and inflorescence. Its
leaves are thick, waxy and glossy with bulbous and spongy stalk. The inflorescence is spike of 8-10
flowers. The flowers are purplish blue. Each flower has 6 petals, the upper most petals with a yellow blue
bordered central splotch. Its shoots consist of branched, stoloniferous rhizome. Roots are adventitious,
fibrous and dark in colour. Water hyacinth reproduces both sexually and vegetatively. However, sexual
reproduction is limited. Vegetative reproduction occurs by stolon under favorable condition. It has become
the most problematic weed in many tropical and subtropical fresh water habitats worldwide. Our proposed
project area belongs to the southern part of West Bengal where inland water bodies play important role
for the livelihood of local people and environmental context as well. Water hyacinth forms thick mat over
the water body and caused problems for fishing, biodiversity, river or canal transportation, irrigation,
causing siltation followed by flooding and become the labour room for many vector borne diseases.

Scientific name Eichhornia crassipes (Martias) solms.

Common name Water hyacinth
Originated from Rich and diverse rain forests of the Amazon river basin.
Biological description An aquatic macrophyte, a monocotyledon.
Family Pontederiaceae.

Ideal condition for water hyacinth:

• High air temperature
• High relative humidity
• Long sun exposure
• pH of between 4.0 and 8.0

There are many controlling mechanisms for preventing the proliferation of water hyacinth. The main
mechanisms are chemical, physical and biological control. Chemical and physical control may not be
feasible. Physical control is expensive and considered as short term solution. In case of chemical control,
its residual effect on environment and local dwellers is negative, where as biological control requires long
time to reach population density that can make significant impact on target pest.

A. Trial for suitable technique selection of composting from water hyacinth

Water hyacinth can be converted into compost with proper management & technology. At laboratory, we
tried to find out a suitable technique for making cost effective quality compost from water hyacinth in a
short period.

Water hyacinth is a well known cleaner of polluted water & different pollutants (like heavy metals) are
deposited in its root. So roots are generally removed in case where water hyacinth is collected from
polluted water.

Models of different substrate combinations are as follows –

A. Water hyacinth: cow dung = 4:1
A1. Water hyacinth & cow dung along with 25% green leaf.
A2. Water hyacinth & cow dung along with DAP (1% solution).
A3. Water hyacinth & cow dung along with cow urine.
A4. Water hyacinth & cow dung along with curd.

17
 A5. Available Weeds, straw & cow dung.
Mud plastering at the outside of the heap is essential in all models for restoring moisture & temperature
during composting.
B. Composting by using earthworms

N.B. The size of the heap: 5’ X 5’ X 5’ (Approx.).

Parameters:
1. Input & output ratio
2. Temperature within compost at 12 hrs intervals.
3. Nutrient value of finished product.
4. Duration of composting

Materials & methodology:

A.
Model 1:
Fresh water hyacinth: cow dung: Green leaves= 4:1:1 (by volume)
Fresh water hyacinth per layer: 8 bucket (3.5 kg/bucket)
Cow dung per layer: 2 bucket (6 kg/bucket)
Green leaves per layer: 2 bucket (3 kg/bucket)
Water per layer: 12 L
No. of layers: 6
Total wt of water hyacinth: 3.5 X 8 X 6=168 kg
Total wt of cow dung: 6 X 2 X 6=72 kg
Total wt of green leaves: 3 X 2 X 6=36 kg
Total wt of raw material=276 kg
Weight of soil for mud plastering=66.1 kg

Model 2: Fresh water hyacinth: cow dung = 8:1(by volume) along with 1% DAP solution.
Fresh water hyacinth per layer: 8 bucket (3.8 kg/bucket)
Cow dung per layer: 1 bucket (4.5 kg/bucket)
1% DAP solution per layer: 3 L
No. of layers: 7
Total wt of water hyacinth: 3.8 X 8 X 7= 212.8 kg
Total wt of cow dung: 4.5 X 1 X 7=31.5 kg
Total volume of 1% DAP solution= 3 X 7= 21 L
Total wt of raw material=244.3 kg
Weight of soil for mud plastering=36 kg

Model 3: Fresh water hyacinth: cow dung = 4.6:1 along with cow urine.
Fresh water hyacinth per layer: 8 bucket (4 kg/bucket)
Cow dung per layer: 1.75 bucket (4.8 kg/bucket)
Cow urine diluted with water in 7:1 ratio and applied at the rate of 3 L/ layer.
No. of layers: 7
Total wt of water hyacinth: 4 X 8 X 7=224 kg
Total wt of cow dung: 4.8 X 1.75 X 7=58.8 kg
Total wt of raw material=282.8 kg
Heap is covered with plastic sheet.
N.B. Deducted portion of cow dung is supplemented (in terms of nitrogen) with cow urine.

Model 4: Fresh water hyacinth: cow dung= 8:1 (by volume) along with curd
Fresh water hyacinth per layer: 8 bucket (3.8 kg/bucket)
Cow dung per layer: 1 bucket (6.5 kg/bucket)
No. of layers: 7
Total wt of water hyacinth: 3.8 X 8 X 7=212.8 kg
Total wt of cow dung: 6.5 X 1 X 7=46.5 kg

18
50 gm curd mixed with 21 L of water & 3L of solution was sprinkled over each layer.
Total wt of raw material=258.3 kg
Weight of soil for mud plastering=40 kg

Model 5: Dried paddy Straw: weeds: cow dung = 2:2:1

Dried paddy Straw per layer: 4 bucket (1.1 kg/bucket)
Available weeds: 4 bucket (1.6 kg/bucket)
Cow dung per layer: 2 bucket (4.8 kg/bucket)
No. of layers: 7
Total wt of dried paddy Straw: 1.1 X 4 X 7=30.8 kg
Total wt of weeds: 1.6 X 4 X 7=44.8 kg
Total wt of cow dung: 4.8 X 2 X 7=67.2 kg
Total wt of raw material=142.8 kg
Heap is covered with plastic sheet.

B. Composting by using earthworms

Fresh water hyacinth mixed thoroughly with cow dung (25%)

Partial decomposing for 40 days

Introduction of earthworms after 40 days

Composting for next 40 days.

Result

1. Percentage of recovery:-

SL. NO INPUT(KG) OUTPUT(KG) % OF RECOVERY

1. 276.0 87.0 31.52174
2. 244.3 65.0 26.60663
3. 258.3 77.0 29.8103
4. 282.8 90.0 31.82461
5. 142.8 56.0 39.21569

2. Temperature in 12 hours’ interval

Exp-1

60
Temp. in degree celcious

50
40
30
20
10
0
1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55 58
Reading at 12 hrs interval

19
 Exp-2

45
Temp. in degree celcious

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29
Reading at 12 hrs interval

Exp-3

40
Temp. in degree celcious

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31
Reading at 12 hrs interval

Exp 4

40
Temp. in degree celcious

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
Reading at 12 hrs interval

Exp 5 Observation
70
The maximum rise of temperature
Temp. in degree celcious

60

50
within the compost was 480C and
40 could not reach the expected value of
30 thermal composting(70-75 0C ) within
20 first three days due to fall of heavy
10 rain. Percolation of rain water might
0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27
hinder the rise of temperature up to a
Re ading at 12 hrs inte rv al maximum level of and restricted
within 50oC. It may affect the
decomposition rate and quality of composting. More than 50% reduction of heap’s height has also been
observed with in a fort night. Initial height of 4.7 ft. gradually reduced to 2 ft. after 15 days. After 30 days it
became 1 ft in height (exp-1).The difference of temperature between the ambient & the innermost part of
heap has been recorded within the range of 6 – 100C.

3. Nutrient value of finished product

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5
pH 7.61 7.88 7.48 6.64 7.44
Organic Carbon 14.22 10.35 25.97 21.25 14.71
Nitrogen 0.756 0.672 0.896 1.400 1.456
Phosphate 1.690 1.220 1.230 0.760 1.730
Potash 0.790 0.440 0.450 0.600 0.610
C/N Ratio 18.81 15.40 28.98 15.18 10.14

20
N.B. The size of the heap: 5’ X 5’ X 5’ (Approx.).

4. Experimental study of composting of different parts of Water Hyacinth

T1: Leaf of WH with 25% cow dung (by volume).

T2: Stalk of WH with 25% cow dung (by volume).
T3: Root of WH with 25% cow dung (by volume).
T4: Entire plant of WH with 25% cow dung (by volume).
T5: Leaf & stalk of WH with 25% cow dung (by volume).

All plant materials have been chopped into small pieces prior to its use.

Date-2.8.07 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Wt of container 150gm 140gm 150gm 135gm 140gm
(perforated)
Wt of plant 50gm X 4 100gm X 2 100gm X 4 100gm X 2 100gm X 2
material/layer
Wt of cow 200gm X 1 200gm X .5 200gm X 1 200gm X .5 200gm X .5
dung/layer
Water 100gm 100gm 100gm 100gm 100gm
No. of layer 5 4 4 4 4
Total wt 2650gm 1740gm 2950gm 1735gm 1740gm
Initial height 2.4cm 1.3cm 2.2cm 2.0cm 3.6cm

Observations of total weight every 7 days interval:-

T1 % T2 % T3 % T4 % T5 %
02.08.07 2.650gm Red. 1.740gm Red. 2.950gm Red. 1.735gm Red. 1.740gm Red.
(initial) /week /week /week /week /week

10.08.07 2.575gm 2.83 1.650gm 5.17 2.900gm 1.70 1.600gm 7.78 1.590gm 8.62
19.08.07 2.400gm 9.43 1.500gm 13.79 2.735gm 7.29 1.475gm 14.99 1.440gm 17.24
N.B. 2.500gm 1.600gm 2.835gm 1.575gm 1.540gm
25.08.07 2.400gm 1.580gm 2.580gm 1.320gm 1.440gm
01.09.07 2.260gm 1.520gm 2430gm 1.140gm 1.240gm
07.09.07 2.110gm 1.510hm 2.360gm 1.050gm 1.070gm
14.09.07 1.940gm 1.500gm 2.250gm 0.950gm 0.970gm

N.B. 100 ml water is added on 19.08.07.

60
Cumulative percentage of

50
weight reduction

T1
40
T2
30 T3
20 T4
10 T5
0
0 7 14 21 28 35 42
Days

21
Other observation

1. Height reduction (cm)

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
19.08.07 No significant reduction is observed.
25.08.07 1.2 0.3 0.4-0.5 2.1 0.9-1.0

2. Smell: No odor in finished product.

Discussion:

The following facts are observed from the results obtained from different models on composting of Water
hyacinth with different amendments.

1. %Recovery of compost

Model –4: Fresh Water hyacinth: Cow dung (8:1 ratio by volume) with curd shows second maximum
%recovery (31.82461%) over the others models containing water hyacinth as ingredients. Maximum %
return was observed in Model 5 (39.21569%). Recovery is less compared to model 5 as water hyacinth
contains high moisture
.
2. Raising of High Temperature during composting

Heat development is the prerequisite condition of thermal composting for destroying harmful
microorganisms & weed seeds. No such significant heat development was observed (except model 5.
where max. temp. raised to 65 degree celceous, maximum average temperature was within 35-40
celceous). Presence of high moisture in water hyacinth may absorbed the heat developed during
composting for high specific heat capacity of water. This may be one of the reasons for non-attending the
expected rise of temperature. Moreover heavy down pour during experiment may also be another reason
for lowering the temperature of all the models.

3. NUTRIENT STATUS

• PH values of compost in all the models are in neutral range (6.64-7.88)

• %Organic Carbon in model-3 is highest (25.97%).Second highest is in model-4 (21.25%)
• % N content is highest (1.400%) in model-4 over all the models. An interesting observation was
addition of extra Nitrogenous source in either organic form (cow urine in model-3) or inorganic
form (Di-ammonium Phosphate in model-2) did not increase the N-status of compost. The excess
Nitrogen might be lost either in gaseous form or percolation loss occurred during composting.
• Regarding Phosphorous & Potassium status, compost in model-4 is somehow less over other
models.

4. Experiments on Composting of different parts of Water hyacinth.

It is being observed from the table & curve of %Cumulative weight reduction against time (in days)
maximum reduction of weight that is composting in T-4 & T-5 treatment over the others. In case of height
reduction against time, same nature observation was observed (T-4 & T-5 are superior over other
treatments)

CONCLUSSION

It may be revealed from the above observations and discussion, composting of water hyacinth either
entire plants or only leaves and stalk portion along with cow dung in 8:1 ratio with a little bit of curd (as

22
starter) shows a good performance over the other models in respect of rapidity (two to two & half month)
and nutrient status of compost.

Though from weight & height reduction experiments T-4 &T-5 treatments both have the same results. But
T-4 (Entire plants with cow dung) is not recommended, since root parts of water hyacinth absorbed most
of the heavy metals & toxic substances from the water body and helps to clean the aquatic environment.
So there may be a chance of recycling the absorbed heavy metals during composting of entire plants .It is
better to composting by removing the root part of the plants.

Addition of extra Nitrogen or Phosphorous source in either inorganic or organic form may not affect the
composting rate or nutrient status of the produce.

It may be concluded that chopped stalk & leaves of water hyacinth with cow dung in 8:1 ratio ( by
volume), with little bit of curd may turn the water hyacinth a good quality compost with high nutrient value
within a very short period of time. Straw can be added as a extra source of carbon.

B. Field Trial of compost made from water hyacinth

Layout of trial field

A1-A8- Tomato
B1-B8- Chilly
N
4 1 5 6 7 58

2 6
A
3 7 Far
Usi
ng me
co r's
mp 4 8 pre
ost vail
fro ing
m pra
1 5 ctic
wat
er e
51 ft
hya
cint 2 6
B
3 7

4 8
Bed Size – 5 feet X 10 feet

23
Crop combination on bed 'A 'and 'B'
5 feet
T T T
C C C C
Bed 'A'
1/Tomato (Var: C o r i a n d e r B B B
Pusharabi) Bed 'B'
T T
2/Coriander(Var C C C C 1/ Chilly(Var:IR8)
: Punjabi) C o r i a n d e r 2/ Beans(Var:Bushy)
B B B
T T T

10ft C o r i a n d e r C C C C

T T B B B
.

C o r i a n d e r
C C C C

T T T
B B B

Soil preparation

Organic practice Farmers' prevailing practice

Category Quantity Category Quantity/bed

Compost (thermal) 25 kg / bed Grow-more -14:35:14 347 gm
Vermi compost 250 gm / plant Micro-Nutrient 34.7 gm
** Raw material of Thermal compost – Straw, Water hyacinth , Cow dung
** Dried water hyacinth used as mulching .

Date of sowing & transplanting :

Bed no. mentioned as 'A' Bed no. mentioned as 'B'
1)Tomato 1)Chilly
Seed bed preparation – 12-10-07 Direct sowing - 08-11-07
Transplanting - 08-11-07
2)Coriander 2)Beans
Direct sowing - 08-11-07 Direct sowing -08-11-07

Plant height on following date

Date Organic treated Chemical treated

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8

24
 6/12/07 17'' 17'' 17.6'' 17.5'' 15.4'' 15'' 15.3'' 15''

14/12/07 17.5'' 17.6'' 18'' 18'' 15.7'' 15.3'' 15.6'' 15.3''

29/12/07 18'' 18'' 18.5'' 18.5'' 16'' 15.5'' 16'' 15.5''

9/1/08 24'' 23'' 20'' 20'' 18'' 17'' 17'' 17''

18/1/08 24'' 23'' 20'' 20'' 18'' 17'' 17'' 17''

Date Organic treated Chemical treated

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8

6/12/07

14/12/07 6.5'' 6.5'' 6.5'' 6.5'' 6.5'' 6.5'' 6.5'' 6.5''

29/12/07 8'' 8'' 9'' 8.5'' 7'' 7'' 6.8'' 6.5''

Date of irrigation with necessary information :

Sl. Date of Used water

No irrigation
Bed A1-A4 Bed A5-A8 Bed B1- Bed B5-
for each bed for each bed B4 B8

1 17/12/07 50 ltr 50 ltr 50 ltr 50 ltr

2 06/01/08 20 ltr 20 ltr 20 ltr 20 ltr

3 15/01/08 10 ltr 10 ltr 10 ltr 10 ltr

on going (tube
well installed)

25
Pest &/or disease infection and preventive measures taken :

Sl. Bed no. / plant Pest attack or disease Preventive measures Remark's
no. combination

1 Bed A1-A4 with Virus affected by white fly 50 ml of tulsi leaf extract White fly are
organic treatment with 250ml of cow milk removed
sprayed over the crop
crop combination – Remaining plants
Tomato + Coriander have no infection.

2 Bed A5-A8 with appear small crustacean Omed No change

chemical pesticide
treatment virus affected by white fly Metacid oil with diathion

crop combination –
Tomato + Coriander

3 Bed B1-B4 with No pest attcked - -

organic treatment

crop combination –
Chili + Beans

4 Bed B5-B8 with No pest attcked - -

chemical pesticide
treatment

crop combination –
chili + Beans

Information about flowering time & crop yield :

Sl. Bed no./ Plant Flowering Crop yield

no. combination date (when
at least 50%
per bed)

1 Bed A1-A4 with organic 25/12/07 First fruiting time

treatment 29/12/07

crop combination – Tomato= 30.8kg

Tomato + Coriander (11plant×4
bed×0.700kg)

Coriander= 2kg

2 Bed A5-A8 with chemical 10/01/08 Tomato= 22kg from 4

pesticide treatment bed

crop combination – Coriander= 1.8kg

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 Tomato + Coriander

3 Bed B1-B4 with organic Flowering on -

treatment 20/02/08

crop combination – Chili + (in 4plant)

Beans

4 Bed B5-B8 with chemical No flower -

pesticide treatment appered

crop combination – chili +

Beans

Findings:
1. Chilli & beans did not show very good result. However, in WH compost treatment flower appeared.
2. Tomato and coriander showed very good result. The flowering of WH compost treatment was earlier,
the yield ant test of coriander and tomato was better compared to conventional chemical treatment.
3. The tomato from WH compost treatment beds were productive for longer time, the shelf life of tomato
was also long.
4. There were pest attack in both the cases, but beds with WH compost treatment, pesets were removed
after organic treatment.

** The laboratory trial was done at DRCSC, Shyamnagar Biolab and the field trial was done at Dakshin
Chatra, N 24 Parganas with the help from a farmer Mr. Ashok Das. Indienhilfe, Germany has supported
us for this study. The study was done during May 2007- March 2008.

27