Abstract
Water hyacinth is one of the rapidly spreading aquatic weeds, both globally and in Ethiopia, causing adverse effect on ecosystem and human benefits. It directly and indirectly affects fish, crop and livestock productions, electric power generation, irrigation, waterway transportation, tourism and human health. It is an invasive weed that is native to Amazon basin and introduced as an ornamental species to decorate the water bodies in Ethiopia. The weeds’ fastest growth, ways of reproduction, ability to adapt to wide range of climatic conditions and nutrients, and complex root system made its management difficulty. However, Manual removal of water hyacinth in small areas at early time is effective in controlling the weed for short period of time. Use of biological control agents; arthropods ( Neochetina brunchi and Neochetina eichhorniae ) and parasitic fungi ( Alternaria alternata , Alternaria sp ., Alternaria tenuissima and Neofusicoccum parvum ) play a role in controlling specifically water hyacinth in Ethiopia at experimental level. In addition Chemical control with 2, 4-D dimethyl amine, glyphosphate and acetic acid are effective to control water hyacinth in extreme cases. Integrated use of herbicidal and mechanical control measures is effective in control, economically safe and environmentally friendly than a single control measures. Weed removing machines and integrated managements should be designed based on Ethiopian water bodies’ conditions in the future research. The release of promising biological control agents should be encouraged by the Ethiopian government. Keywords: Alien weeds, Aquatic weeds, Ethiopia, Invasive weeds, Neochetina spp., DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-12-03 Publication date: December 31 st 2020
Highlights
In Ethiopia, 35 alien invasive weed species are posing negative impacts on native biodiversity, agricultural lands, range lands, national parks, water ways, lakes, rivers, power dams, road sides, and urban green spaces with great economic and social consequences (Rezene and Taye, 2014)
The weed is an invasive plant that is native to Brazil, Amazon basin and Ecuador region (Gopal, 1987; Hill and Coetzee, 2008)
Similar Authors indicated that freshwater bodies, swamps and wetland areas of Africa and the Middle East have been remarkable invaded by this invasive weed
Summary
In Ethiopia, 35 alien invasive weed species are posing negative impacts on native biodiversity, agricultural lands, range lands, national parks, water ways, lakes, rivers, power dams, road sides, and urban green spaces with great economic and social consequences (Rezene and Taye, 2014). Among these species Eichhornia crassipes, Parthenium hysterophorus, Prosopis julifilora, Lantana camara and Mimosa spp. are the most widely spreading and invading weeds in Ethiopia. Similar Authors indicated that freshwater bodies, swamps and wetland areas of Africa and the Middle East have been remarkable invaded by this invasive weed
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