WATER HYACINTH AS A GREEN MANURE FOR ORGANIC FARMING

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms is a noxious aquatic weed that pollutes all fresh water bodies. To check its vigorous growth, control measures are required. One such method is its use as composting material. The wheat crop (Triticum vulgare) was treated by using compost derived from Eichhornia crassipes. The wheat plant was allowed to grow for fifteen days and the effect was studied by comparing with control. The physical parameters of crop were percentage germination, length of shoot, length of root, root: shoot ratio and biomass content. The chemical parameters studied were chlorophyll content, protein content and reducing sugar content. The soil analysis was also done to study the changes in the physical and chemical parameters of soil. The physical and chemical parameters of soil were pH, moisture content and organic matter content. The results revealed that all parameters had higher values as compared to control in case of wheat plants as well as soil. The results signify the use of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms as the organic manure.