Potentials of water hyacinth as livestock feed in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Eichhornia crassipes or universally known as Water hyacinth (WH) is considered as one of the noxious and invasive plants with a high growth rate and vigorous reproductive capacity Due to these characteristics, this plant causes severe ecological, economic and social problems in many tropical and subtropical countries. Currently, many countries like India, China, Vietnam etc., convert this aquatic invasive plant into a beneficial plant to solve serious environmental problems. WH is an excellent source in absorbing nutrients and pollutants from eutrophic/polluted waters. Moreover, WH biomass is used to produce bioenergy, feed and fertilizers. This review discusses the potential of using WH as a livestock feed in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is an agricultural country and livestock plays a major role in the society. The non-availability of quality pasture/fodder and shortage of improved pasture/fodder have been identified as one of the major causes for the poor production of milk and meat. But WH has been successfully utilized over the decades as a livestock feed by other countries for ruminants, swine, ducks, geese and fish due to its high crude protein content and progressive growth. Along with the relevant treatments and proper inclusion level to the main ration, this plant is a feasible alternative to rice straw and other low-quality roughages. WH shows an island-wide distribution in Sri Lanka inhabiting freshwater bodies such as tanks, canals, marshes, ponds etc. There is a greater opportunity of utilizing this plant to reduce the feed shortage in Sri Lanka ton livestock. Apart from biological, chemical and mechanical control methods, utilizing water hyacinth as a livestock feed is one of the better approaches out of many productive ways of controlling the growth of this plant.