Penurunan Kepadatan Eceng Gondok (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) di Danau Rawapening dengan Memanfaatkannya sebagai Bahan Dasar Kompos

Abstract

High sedimentation and the entry of organik and inorganik pollutants, especially P and N, have led to the eutrophication of Rawapening Lake waters. These conditions triggered an uncontrolled booming of water hyacinth aquatic weed (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms). The presence of water hyacinth triggers a significant loss of water compared to local weeds through evapotranspiration. The invasion of water hyacinth causes various problems, including depletion of water oxygen content which has an impact on decreasing fish production, damaging natural beauty, and also affecting public health. Many efforts to control water hyacinth in Rawapening Lake have been carried out both physically and by utilizing biological agents. One of the efforts to control the density of water hyacinth in Rawapening Lake is to use it as compost raw material. Water hyacinth contains various elements that are useful for making quality compost, including calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and others. Water hyacinth root contains sulfates and phosphates, the leaves contain carotin and the flowers contain delphinidin-3-diglucosida. The various nutrients contained in water hyacinth make quality compost capable of meeting the nutritional needs of cultivated plants. This article aims to review the use of water hyacinth as a basic material for making compost which is useful for fertilizing agricultural cultivation activities