Controlling Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms in Beel Gajna, Pabna, Bangladesh- A Management Plan

Abstract

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) poses a significant challenge in many parts of the world, prompting the application of diverse management techniques, including physical and mechanical removal, chemical methods, and biological control. Despite these efforts, an effective control strategy remains elusive. This paper explores the multifaceted nature of water hyacinth, acknowledging its advantageous roles such as phytoremediation, biomass for biogas production, animal feed, compost, vermicompost, green manure, and raw material for various products. While water hyacinth traditionally served beneficial purposes, its proliferation, particularly in areas like Beel Gajna in Bangladesh, has become a major obstacle to crop cultivation, particularly onion farming. The paper underscores the harmful and beneficial aspects of water hyacinth, emphasizing the need for immediate management in specific regions, notably Beel Gajna. It delves into the role of different control methods and proposes an emphasis on physical or manual removal from farmers’ fields to address the limitations associated with other physical methods.