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The introduction of exotic species poses one of the greatest threats to biodiversity globally. Water hyacinth is a dangerous invasive species that has harmed Ethiopia's wetland ecology and economy. This research aims to evaluate the current distribution of water hyacinth and the impact of environmental variables on its spread, while also mapping future habitat suitability under climate change scenarios and assessing how these changes may influence the species' potential expansion. To estimate the risks of climate change to the species, a predictive model was developed from six modeling methodologies to investigate the climatic suitability of target species for the years 2050 and 2070 under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP 8.5). Under the current climatic scenario, only 69.78% (789 503.8 km2) and 16.02% (181 262.8 km2) of the country is moderately and highly suitable for species dispersion and invasion respectively. The remaining 14.2% (160 620.9 km2) is unsuitable for the distribution and invasion of the species. In 2050, under the RCP4.5 and RCP 8.5, the 'highly suitable' range of water hyacinth is anticipated to expand by 16.35% and 15.39%, whereas the 'moderately suitable' area is predicted to increase by 70.81% and 71.52%, respectively. Under the RCP8.5 scenarios, compared to the current climatic conditions, in 2070 the 'highly suitable' region for the species is expected to increase by 11.48%. Its continuing growth would exacerbate the issue of ecological and economic crisis, cause significant economic and environmental harm and endanger the community's way of life. In order to avert or reduce these effects, a thorough examination of water hyacinth along the two RCPs by water resource scientists and mamangers, that takes into account how climate change is affecting water hyacinth growing locations in Ethiopia, and provides a proper solution, is mandatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of industries has caused severe impacts on the environment and increased the demand of using energy. In this work, reduced graphene oxide-doped water hyacinth carbon aerogels (rGO/WHCA) were synthesized by cross-linking cellulose with poly(vinyl alcohol) as a binder and addition of graphene oxide (GO) as rGO precursors, followed by freeze-drying and pyrolysis techniques. The obtained materials were studied for adsorption of methylene blue (MB) in water and applied as electrodes for the supercapacitor. The impact of GO content on the characteristics, adsorption performance, and electrochemical properties of the rGO/WHCA were investigated. Besides, the concurrent effects of the adsorption time, and MB concentration on the adsorption capacity were evaluated via the response surface methodology according to the Box–Behnken model. The obtained rGO/WHCA materials exhibited ultralow density, high porosity, and an abundance of meso- and micropores structures. Especially, rGO/WHCA materials showed a great ability for removing MB in water with the highest adsorption capacity up to 95.03 mg/g after 420 min with the initial MB concentration of 150 ppm at pH 9 and performed the electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) in a three-electrode system with an outstanding specific capacitance of 272.08 F/g at current density of 0.5 A/g. The obtained results open a potential pathway of using biomass sources, like water hyacinth, for solving environmental issues and the demand for energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A self-floating amphiphilic biosorbent (SFAB) was prepared by dispersing the plasma-modified water hyacinth (WH) (Eichhornia crassipes) fibers on the beeswax support. The synthesis process takes advantage of the functionalising properties of plasma with polar groups (–OH, –CO, –COOH) and the binding effect of beeswax. The characteristics of the obtained biosorbent exhibited significant changes in surface chemistry and roughness confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The resulting functionalised material offers appropriate anchoring sites for pollutants leading to a biomaterial with hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. The removal performance of the SFAB outperforms the natural biomass fibers taking alone, with an uptake capacity of 20.83 mg/g for merbromin (MB) (50 mg/L) and 19.90 mg/g for Green Naphthol B (GNB) (50 mg/L), based on the successfully fitted general-order kinetic model. The effects of some key adsorption parameters were optimised, and the equilibrium data (298–323 K) were best fitted by the Liu isotherm reaching 47.20 and 36.40 mg/g of uptake amounts for MB and GNB, respectively at 298 K. The removal mechanism is governed by π–π interplay, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen bonding effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were obtained through precipitation synthesis, using aqueous water hyacinth leaf extract (Eichhornia crassipes) under alkaline conditions. The effect of the extract on the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of the ZnO was evaluated starting from concentrated extract (labeled as E100) and performing two dilutions of this concentrated extract at 50% and 25% in water (E50, and E25). RESULTS: The FTIR spectra revealed strong peaks at ≈3440 cm−1, corresponding to vibrations from OH stretching, and medium‐intense peaks at 1384 and 1327 cm−1, assigned to CC, COOH and COC vibrations, which are related to the presence of the extract; a weak band at 884 cm−1 and a broad band in the region below 600 cm−1 indicate the presence of ZnO. The hydrodynamic size of the ZnOE100, ZnOE50 and ZnOE25 samples were 202, 244 and 313 nm, respectively. No significant variations on the Eg value were observed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed that the ZnO NPs have triangular‐like shapes and agglomeration of the NPs synthesized for the ZnOE25 sample. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ZnO NPs showed no significant effects related to the concentration the plant extract used. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in particle size and zeta potential can be introduced in ZnO by varying the content of the extract; the presence of organic groups from the extract, along with a positive zeta potential value, can promote the bactericide effect of ZnO nanomaterials prepared by bio‐assisted synthesis. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term biodiversity monitoring studies of restored wetland ecosystems are essential for successful conservation. We studied the bird diversity of century-old Pashan Lake (18.5344°N, 73.7853°E), Pune, Maharashtra, India, after 15 years of restoration. Pashan Lake is an overwintering site for many birds and recently went through a restoration event after eutrophication. Currently, the lake receives heavy sewage water and industrial effluents through a small river Ramnadi. The lake receives heavy monsoon rainwater, and in late winter and summer, hyacinth vegetation covers the entire lake surface. We monitored bird diversity (number of species with abundance) at Pashan Lake throughout the year (June 2021-May 2022) using the point transact method during morning and evening hours. We also recorded physicochemical parameters, including water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, salt, and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). We calculated diversity indices for each season, Monsoon (June–September), winter (October-January), and summer (February-May). We recorded a total 81 bird species with the highest bird diversity in the winter season. Omnivorous and insectivorous birds dominate the fauna. Bird community recorded every month was clustered into two groups, June-November and December-May, suggesting the influence of hyacinth vegetation. Bird community was dissimilar among seasons. The study signifies the importance of long-term biodiversity monitoring studies for wetland conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of invasive species, such as water hyacinth, has a serious impact on biodiversity, ecosystem services and the productivity of aquatic ecosystems. This study aims to study the invasion of water hyacinth has influenced physical and chemical water qualities, as well as the trophic state of Lake Tana. A total of 27 samples were collected and analysed following the procedures outlined in the methodology. The trophic state was determined using phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations to evaluate the impact of the water hyacinth on the lake's trophic condition. The results indicate that the physical quality of the lake was significantly affected by the water hyacinth invasion (p < 0.005). Similarly, the chemical quality of the lake showed a significant deterioration due to the invasion (p < 0.05). The trophic state differed markedly, with the lake being classified as oligotrophic in the invaded areas (TSI-TP, 23.17–31.64) and in non-invaded areas (TSI-TP, 2.31–24.39). However, in terms of chlorophyll-a content, the lake's trophic state ranged from mesotrophic to eutrophic in both invaded (TSI-Chl, 59.34–63.36) and non-invaded (TSI-Chl, 19.72–54.76) zones. The findings suggest that the invasion of water hyacinth has significantly impacted the physical, chemical and trophic states of Lake Tana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) is an invasive weed that covers a significant portion of Lake Tana. The infestation has an impact on the lake's ecological and socioeconomic systems. Early detection of the spread of water hyacinth using geospatial techniques is crucial for its effective management and control. The main objective of this study was to examine the spatiotemporal distribution of water hyacinth from 2016 to 2022 using a random forest machine learning model. The study used 16 variables obtained from Sentinel-2A, Sentinel-1 SAR, and SRTM DEM, and a random forest supervised classification model was applied. Seven spectral indices, five spectral bands, two Sentinel-1 SAR bands, and two topographic variables were used in combination to model the spatial distribution of water hyacinth. The model was evaluated using the overall accuracy and kappa coefficient. The findings demonstrated that the overall accuracy ranged from 0.91 to 0.94 and kappa coefficient from 0.88 to 0.92 in the wet season and 0.93 to 0.95 and 0.90 to 0.93 in the dry season, respectively. B11 and B5 (2022), VH, soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and normalized difference water index (NDWI) (2020), B5 and B12 (2018), and VH and slope (2016) are the highly important variables in the classification. The study found that the spatial coverage of water hyacinth was 686.5 and 650.4 ha (2016), 1,851 and 1,259 ha (2018), 1,396.7 and 1,305.7 ha (2020), and 1,436.5 and 1,216.5 ha (2022) in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The research findings indicate that variables derived from optical (Sentinel-2A and SRTM) and non-optical (Sentinel-1 SAR) satellite imagery effectively identify water hyacinth and display its spatiotemporal spread using the random forest machine learning algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the mechanical, thermal, morphological, and characterization properties of a polymer composite composed of water hyacinth plant fibres. In order to improve the mechanical properties of the composite specimens, a new powder derived from the moringa plant was used for the first time as a filler material in the water hyacinth plant-reinforced polymer composites. In this study, composite specimens were prepared using a hot compression moulding machine. The weight percentage of moringa resin filler powder and hyacinth fibre was varied during the process from 2.5 to 7.5% and 15 to 35%. The resulting tensile strength ranged from 18.24 MPa to 32.14 MPa, flexural strength ranged from 38.64 to 56.32 MPa, impact strength ranged from 1 to 3.75 J, and hardness ranged from 66 to 98 Shore D hardness. The composite sample containing 5% moringa filler powder and 30% WH fibre content achieved high mechanical strength, maximum decomposition temperatures, and high crystallinity percentages. It exhibited 11–13% higher strength compared to the other samples. Absorption studies showed weight gains of 3.42% and 4.45% for water and chemical absorption, respectively. The fracture surfaces of the composite specimens were analysed using the SEM technique. The fabricated composites could be useful for particle board and medium density fibre board applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption techniques are frequently used to eliminate particular forms of pesticides. This work aimed to describe the process of adsorbing abamectin (ABM) from aqueous systems onto adsorbents and some factors affecting the process effectiveness. Eichhornia crassipes, also known as water hyacinth (WH), was chemically processed utilizing calcium alginate-immobilized WH and sodium alginate as adsorbent. The response surface method (RSM) was implemented to enhance the operational aspects of the adsorption procedure on the removal of ABM residues from aqueous solution. The results show that 95.65% of the abamectin was removed under the optimum conditions of pH = 3, 1000 mg/L of immobilized WH, particle size = 5 µm, shaking speed = 200 rpm, and 30 mg/L of ABM concentration throughout 180 min contact time. The model’s predicted response results also show a decent agreement with the experimental data (R² = 86.64%), proving the effectiveness of this approach for developing precise predictions. The responses were assessed using a second-order polynomial multiple regression model, which confirmed a successful adjustment with the obtained data using analysis of variance (R² = 92.0%, R² adj = 88.92%, and R² pred = 82.92%). In conclusion, the results demonstrated the potential application and beneficial adsorption effectiveness of WH in removal of the pesticides from an aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive plants are a serious global issue due to the damage they cause to aquatic ecosystems. In recent years, the Orontes River has been struggling with water hyacinth, an invasive species that completely covers the river’s surface. Within the scope of this study, the history of water hyacinth in the Orontes River was examined using remote sensing and crowdsourced data. Optical data with different spatial resolutions (Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2 MSI) and Sentinel-1 SAR satellite data were used as remote sensing data. Google News, used as crowdsourced data, was compared with time series obtained from satellite data, emphasizing the complementary role of all three data types (optical, SAR and crowdsourced). Using PlanetScope Dove satellite data, the growth, development and extinction cycle of water hyacinth within a year were investigated according to water hyacinth density. In line with the results obtained, it is revealed that the water hyacinth began to appear after June, grew in the summer months, reached its peak in October–November, and disappeared after November with the increasing precipitation. This study is the first to examine water hyacinths in the Orontes River using remote sensing and crowdsourced data, and the results will guide decision-makers in the fight against water hyacinths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water hyacinth is an invasive weed that contributes to the Hartbeespoort Dam's poor water quality. Although biological control is the most effective and sustainable method of controlling water hyacinth, a prediction model to plan the biological controls is essential for successful intervention. The literature shows that mathematical models and remote sensing have been used successfully in the past to estimate plant growth rates in similar applications. This study presents various machine-learning models that were investigated to predict water hyacinth coverage. The complex relationships of water hyacinth growth were simplified to focus on the most influential factors: temperature and nutrients. Missing data were imputed using the multiple k-nearest neighbours imputation. The nutrient datasets were extrapolated to the correct timeline using Monte Carlo simulations and seasonal patterns. Ensemble learning, decision trees, artificial neural networks, and support vector machine models were developed, with ensemble learning (bag algorithm) resulting in the best predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aquaculture's explosive growth has made it more and more dependent on outside feed sources. Fish meal serves as the primary source of protein for external feed inputs. These days, it's difficult to provide a high-protein diet at a reasonable price. Numerous investigations have been carried out to assess the viability of using plant-based protein sources in place of fish meal in a tilapia's diet. Methods: The current study was planned to study the performance of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) when fed with Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). In the present trial, major feed ingredients were mixed in the feed at different concentration viz., 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. Every day the fishes were fed at the rate of 5% of their body weight. The experiment was conducted for a period of 90 days and the sampling was carried out once in a fortnight. Result: This study suggests replacing fish meal at low concentrations or no replacement tends to increase the growth of the fish without compromising the cost of the feed. The water hyacinth diet helps to cut down the price to a greater extent as the inclusion levels are less and helps to find a new alternative in the feed industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three aquatic macrophytes were used to treat wastewater using a pilot-constructed wetland (CW) system to determine the most efficient plants for removing contaminants from wastewater. The three macrophytes are water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), and duckweed (Lemna minor). Three 150 L capacity tanks with sand and gravel as substrates were used as the pilot CW for each plant. Upon initial examination, the raw wastewater was not compliant with standard discharge limits. The wastewater samples were collected every 7 days for 3 weeks for treatment. From the findings, at 14 days hydraulic retention time (HRT), E. crassipes and P. stratiotes achieved the highest total phosphorus (TP) and chemical oxygen deman (COD) reductions of 99.3 and 99.4%, respectively. E. crassipes indicated better biological oxygen demand removal efficiency of 91.3%, COD (85.0%), electrical conductivity (90.4%), total dissolved solids (89.7%), and total coliforms (66.0%). Albeit, P. stratiotes indicated better results for total suspended solids (96.2%), TP (7.55%), and E. coli (94.4%), while L. minor was better with 90.8% total nitrogen removal. The overall analysis showed E. crassipes to be more efficient than the three macrophytes. However, the other two plants are replaceable options and large-scale implementation of this project in the community would be a major contributor to actualizing SDG number 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was mixed using a two-roller mixer. Water hyacinth fiber (WHF) acted as a reinforcing agent in the preparation of the rubber composite at 10 phr (ENRC/WHF). Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) was added at different concentrations (1, 5, 10, and 20 phr) as an antimicrobial and coupling agent. The tensile strength increased with a CHG content of 1 phr (4.59 MPa). The ENRC/WHF/CHG20 blend offered high hardness (38) and good morphology owing to the reduction in cavities and fiber pull-out from the rubber matrix. The swelling of the sample blends in oil and toluene decreased as the CHG content increased. Reactions of –NH2/epoxy groups and –NH2/–OH groups occurred during the preparation of the ENRC/WHF/CHG blend. The FTIR spectroscopy peak at 1730 cm−1 confirmed the reaction between the −NH2 groups of CHG and epoxy groups of ENR. The ENRC/WHF/CHG blend at 10 phr and 20 phr exhibited zones of inhibition against three bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus). CHG simultaneously acted as a crosslinking agent between ENR and WHF and as an antimicrobial additive for the blends. CHG also improved the tensile strength, hardness, swelling, and antimicrobial properties of ENR composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dried roots of an aquatic plant (Eichhornia crassipes commonly known as water hyacinth) were included in the biomass of an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor to evaluate the improvement effect on treating antibiotic-containing synthetic pharmaceutical effluent. The removals of three different antibiotics, namely erythromycin (ERY), tetracycline (TET) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), were investigated using the unacclimatized inoculum during the startup period. Then, about 2.5% E. crassipes (w/w of volatile solids) was added to biomass during the last month of operation. Almost complete removal of each antibiotic was achieved, with efficiencies up to 99% (with initial ERY, TET and SMX of 200, 75 and 230 mg L−1, respectively) regardless of E. crassipes addition. The presence of transformation products (TPs) of selected antibiotics was also investigated and ERY showed a higher potential to transform into its metabolites than SMX and TET. With the studied amount of E. crassipes, no positive impact against TPs formation was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clomazone is known to contaminate aquatic environments and have a negative impact on macrophytes. However, recent reports suggests that Pontederia crassipes Mart. can withstand clomazone exposure while maintaining growth rates. We hypothesized that this maintenance of growth is supported by photosynthetic plasticity of old leaves (developed before herbicide application), while new leaves (developed after application) exhibit phytotoxic symptoms. To investigate, two experiments were conducted with doses ranging from 0.1 mg L−1 to 0.5 mg L−1 plus untreated controls. Various parameters were measured in old and new leaves over 7, 12, and 15 d post-application, including visual symptoms, chlorophyll index, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, glycolate oxidase activity, carbohydrate content, leaf epidermis anatomy, and growth parameters. Clomazone exposure induced chlorosis, particularly in new leaves across all doses. These visual symptoms were accompanied by stomatal closure, restricting gas exchange and CO2 fixation, leading to reduced photosynthetic rates and carbohydrate synthesis. However, clomazone did not affect old leaves, which maintained photosynthetic activity, sustaining essential metabolic processes of the plant, including reproductive functions. By ensuring high reproductive rates and metabolic continuity, old leaves supported the species' persistence despite clomazone presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dark fermentative hydrogen (H2) production from water hyacinth (WH) is considered a potentially sustainable process that helps minimize this weed's harmful effects on the ecosystem and dependence on fossil fuels. To create a quick and precise tool for simulating and optimizing this process, this study applied the combination of the physics‐based model and artificial intelligence approaches for the first time. The physics‐based model was used as a computational experimental dataset generator to save time and cost in acquiring experimental data. Such a synthetic dataset was used to train the artificial neural network (ANN) model, which can predict the performance of dark fermentation fed with water hyacinth (DF@WH) in a fraction of the time. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was then integrated to identify the ideal conditions for DF@WH. H2 productivity and total energy recovery were selected as objectives based on basic operating parameters such as substrate concentration, initial pH, temperature, and operating time. The optimization results revealed that the maximum values of H2 productivity (i.e., the maximum yield of 266.8 mL/g‐TS and the maximum rate of 80.5 mL/L/h) and energy efficiency (i.e., 11.4%) cannot be achieved simultaneously under a specific optimal condition. Instead, when these targets were considered equally important, the balance optimal condition was determined at a substrate concentration of 8.9 g‐TS/L, an initial pH of 6.5, a temperature of 33.9°C, and an operating time of 28.2 h. Under such conditions, H2 productivity can be achieved with a yield of 200.2 mL/g‐TS at a production rate of 62.9 mL/L/h and a total energy recovery of 11.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water hyacinth (WH) is a widespread floating invasive aquatic plant with a prolific reproductive and dispersion rate. With the aid of its root-associated microbes, WH significantly modulates the ecosystem's functioning. Despite their irrevocable importance, the WH microbiome remains unexplored in detail. Here, we present a shotgun sequencing analysis of WH rhizobiome predominant in urban rivers and their surrounding water to unveil the diversity drivers and functional relationship. The core microbiome of the WH mainly consisted of the methane-metabolizing archaebacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria, which are probably driving the methane and sulfur metabolic flux along the vegetative zone in the water. The beta diversity analysis revealed temporal variations (River WH_2020 vs. WH_2022) (R of 0.8 to 1 and R2 of 0.17 to 0.41), which probably could be attributed to the transient taxa as there was a higher sharing of core bacteria (48%). Also, the WH microbiome significantly differed (R = 0.46 to 1.0 and R2 of 0.18 to 0.52) from its surrounding water. Further, the functional analysis predicted 140 pollutant-degrading enzymes (PDEs) well-implicated in various xenobiotic pollutant degradation, including hydrocarbons, plastics, and aromatic dyes. These PDEs were mapped to bacterial genera such as Hydrogenophaga, Ideonella, Rubrivivax, Dechloromonas, and Thauera, which are well-reported for facilitating the metabolism of xenobiotic compounds. The higher prevalence of metal and biocide resistance genes further highlighted the persistence of resistant microbes assisting WH in bioremediation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber composites are a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional synthetic materials that combine the biodegradability and essential durability of natural fibers with adaptability. Improved adhesion between fibers and matrix can be accomplished by comparing surface treatments applied to sugarcane, water hyacinth, and banana plant wastes. This will allow us to produce composite materials that are more durable and sustainable. To study the mechanical and morphological characteristics of the composites, two surface treatments were applied: gamma radiation at a dose of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kGy and alkali treatment at a concentration of 5, 10, and 15%. The study revealed that with the increasing treatment of alkali solution, improvements in the composite's mechanical characteristics whereas gamma irradiation treatment enhanced the mechanical properties to a certain extent (2 kGy) after that the mechanical traits dwindled significantly. SEM, XRD, and FTIR analysis of the developed composite samples also revealed the reasons for the improvements in mechanical properties after alkali and gamma radiation treatments. As an ecofriendly and lightweight substitute for conventional materials, bio epoxy composites reinforced with natural fibers can be used for car interior panels, eco‐friendly furniture and as a replacement for any plasticware offering eco‐sustainability for contemporary living space. Highlights: Natural fiber composites offer a renewable and eco‐friendly alternative to synthetic materials, combining biodegradability with durability.Surface treatments like gamma radiation and alkali treatment enhance composite's mechanical properties.Higher concentrations of alkali treatment improve mechanical characteristics, while gamma irradiation peaks at 2 kGy.Surface treatments offer promising avenues for advancing environmentally friendly materials, contributing to sustainable innovations in material science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid waste of Cr6+ is often produced by nickel ore mining companies, one of which is CV. Unaha Bakti Persada has a Cr6+ concentration of 0.78 ppm which has not yet reached the 0.1 ppm quality standard, so it is necessary to treat Cr6+ waste using an in vitro phytoremediation technique for water hyacinth media of E. azurea and E. crassipes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of phytoremediation method, the level of damage to water hyacinth and the rate of growth of the water hyacinth plant. The study used an in vitro phytoremediation method for water hyacinth media E. crassipes and E. azurea for 15 days. The results showed that the effectiveness of water hyacinth E. azurea was 87% able to reduce the concentration of Cr6+ 0.78 ppm to 0.1 ppm within 15 days, while E. crassipes and the combination of E. crassipes and E. azurea were 64%. The rate of water hyacinth damage to Cr6+ wastewater was faster in E. azurea, namely 40% compared to E. crassipes by 27% and the combination of E. crassipes and E. azurea by 13%. The growth of water hyacinth in Cr6+ wastewater was faster in the combination of E. Crassipes and E. azurea, namely plant weight 45%, root length 38%, plant height 23% compared to E. azurea, namely plant weight 35%, root length 32%, height plant 17%, and E. crassipes, namely plant weight 45%, root length 38%, plant height 7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and purpose: Oral thrush, a mucocutaneous infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, manifests as white, curd-like lesions on oral mucosal surfaces, often accompanied by burning sensations and altered taste perception. Conventional treatment modalities primarily rely on antifungal medications, while adjunctive therapies include topical saline or sodium bicarbonate rinses and rigorous oral hygiene practices. The current investigation seeks to elucidate and document the indigenous medicinal flora of Iran that is employed in the treatment of oral thrush induced by Candida albicans. Methodology: In this review article, a search was made in Web of Science, PubMed, Magiran, SID, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using keywords such as medicinal plants, extract, essential oil, traditional medicine, candidiasis, and Candida albicans. Articles that were not relevant were removed and finally, relevant articles were used for literature review. Results: A variety of medicinal herbs, including Purple Coneflower, Persica, Matrica, Cinnamol, Jaftex, Green Cumin, Lemon Balm, Green Tea, Valerian, Oregano, Water Hyacinth, Ginger, Jujube, Hatchet Vetch, Sumac, Blue Mint Bush, Dandelion, Zaatar, Yarrow, Ephedra, Danish Thyme, Cinnamon, Curly Catnip, Barberry, Myrtle, Garlic, Kah-makki and Putar, Black Caraway, Nettle, Chamomile, Tarragon, Harmala, Lavender, Honey Garlic, Asafoetida (Devil's Dung), and Saffron, are indigenous to Iran. These plants demonstrate an anti-candidal effect against Candida albicans in the oral cavity, particularly when compared to commercial mouthwashes and standard chemical treatments. Conclusion: Medicinal plants offer a promising therapeutic approach to oral thrush due to their inherent antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Herbal mouthwashes containing phytochemicals derived from plants like thyme, chamomile, and sage can effectively alleviate oral thrush symptoms and suppress Candida overgrowth. As a natural and well-tolerated alternative to synthetic antifungals, these mouthwashes can be employed as adjunctive or primary treatments for oral candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports the investigation bioremediation of spent engine oil-contaminated soil augmented with bacteria isolated from municipal dumpsite leachate and amended with water hyacinth leaves (Eichhornia crassipes) as bio-stimulants using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained showed that morphological and biochemical analyses identified six gram-negative and two gram-positive isolates, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas putida, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Citrobacter koseri. Qualitative screening using the redox indicator dye 2,6-Dichlorophenol indophenol indicated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus exhibited the highest hydrocarbon degradation capabilities. For the bioremediation study, sterilized spent engine oil was introduced into uncontaminated soil at a concentration of 25 g/kg. The contaminated soil was divided into several treatment sets: SET A (control), SET B (with Pseudomonas aeruginosa), SET C (with Staphylococcus aureus), and SET D (with both microorganisms). Additionally, water hyacinth leaves were added in parallel experiments, creating groups SET E (with water hyacinth), SET F (with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and water hyacinth), SET G (with Staphylococcus aureus and water hyacinth), and SET H (with both and water hyacinth). The remediation process, monitored for eight weeks, revealed total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) losses of 0.02%, 21.09%, 16.17%, 23.64%, 0.03%, 31.57%, 20.13%, and 39.04% for the respective treatments. This study establishes that indigenous bacterial isolates, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, possess significant hydrocarbon-degrading abilities and that the addition of water hyacinth enhances biodegradation, providing a dual benefit of removing this invasive plant species from waterways while remediating oil-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia, the disposal of weeded water hyacinth from Lake Tana is a significant problem, but it can be solved by transforming it into a useful energy source using briquetting technique. This study deals with the adaptive design and development of appropriate screw press type water hyacinth (WH) briquetting machine and combustion property characterization of the developed WH briquette. By combining the three functions of crushing, mixing, and briquetting into a single machine rather than using separate devices, the developed screw-press briquetting machine saves on space, labor, and material handling, as well as lowering costs and speeding up production. Hopper, mixer, extruder, and die were used in the development of this briquette machine. The machine was designed to employ WH from Lake Tana and cow dung at a weight ratio of 80:20. The performance of the developed screw press briquette machine was evaluated and the results showed that the WH briquette machine has an average production rate and efficiency of 40 kg/h and 95%, respectively. The quality of WH briquette was evaluated using the compressed density, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon content, and calorific values (CV) parameters. The results showed that the density of 0.75 g / cm 3 , ash content of 22.7%, volatile matter of 49.5%, fixed carbon content of 15.3%, and CV of 19.23 MJ/kg were attained. Therefore, the produced WH briquette could be used as a sustainable energy source for household applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water hyacinth is one of the most significant sources of biomass in tropical regions that can be used to create biogas. This strategy aims to improve the sustainability, precise energy content, and ease of transport of the original biofuel feedstock, as well as to extract gases. An experimental investigation on the biomethanation of water hyacinth took place in a semi-batch digester. Temperature, stirring speed, and catalyst concentration all have an impact on the rate of biogas production. The catalyst has been discovered to primarily boost the rate of biogas production from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). As the catalyst is used here to boost up the biomethanation reaction, the effect of the catalyst on different kinetic parameters is investigated. The key conclusions of the research indicate that the maximum value of acidogenic cell mass concentration is 0.13 kg/m3d while the minimum value of methanogenic cell mass concentration is 0.014 kg/m3d at 50 ppm catalyst concentration. Moreover, the maximum specific growth rate of the entire process increases as the catalyst concentration rises, reaching a maximum level of 0.312 d−1 at a 50 ppm catalyst concentration. This is proof that using a catalyst can expedite the biomethanation process. As the catalyst concentration increases, so does the overall biomass concentration. Since it increases the precision of the parameter estimates, the simultaneous estimation of the parameters is a crucial part of the estimation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three common floating bed plants, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Ipomoea aquatica, were selected in the present study to investigate their inhibitory effects on toxic Microcystis aeruginosa. The results showed that all three types of floating-bed plants could considerably inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa and effectively remove the microcystins (MCs) from water systems, among which, E. crassipes and P. stratiotes were more effective in resisting M. aeruginosa, and the removal rate of the intracellular MCs could be up to 100%. In addition, the roots and leaves of the three plants were enriched with a large number of MCs and demonstrated significant antioxidant responses, as evidenced by the increase in the content of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the roots, stems, and leaves of the plants. Furthermore, this study also showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Myxococcota, Verrucomicrobiota, and Actinobacteriota dominated the root microorganisms of the three plants. Moreover, a variety of MC-degrading bacteria, including Sphingomonas, Acinetobacter, Novosphingobium, and Pseudomonas, were found at the genus level, which further provides important basic data for the regulation of eutrophic water bodies and the removal of MCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Removal of toxic pollutants is of the greatest concerns facing wastewater treatment. In this study, a chemical modification method was used to prepare the maleic anhydride-modified water hyacinth (MA-EC) for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV) from water. The maleic anhydride-modified water hyacinth biosorbent was characterized and adsorption experiments were conducted. The prepared MA-EC demonstrated considerable adsorptive efficiency toward MV and MB. It was confirmed that the maximum adsorptive capacities were 1373.58 and 434.70 mg/g for MV and MB, respectively. The adsorptive data were also fitted using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and the results showed that the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model could better describe the adsorptive process. Adsorption–desorption cycling experiments demonstrated that the MA-EC adsorbent had good reusability, with adsorptive capacities of 538.88 mg/g for MV and 215.56 mg/g for MB after four cycles of desorption–adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activation of periodate (PI) by biochar is a promising process for antibiotic wastewater purification, but its activation efficiency for PI needs to be improved. This work successfully prepared maghemite modified Eichhornia crassipes biochar (MEBC) through a simple impregnation pyrolysis process, which enhanced the PI activation performance of biochar while reducing the aggregation of maghemite active sites. The degradation efficiency of tetracycline (TC) by MEBC increased by 43.92% compared to the original biochar, and the degradation rate constant kobs was 4.74 times that of the original biochar. MEBC exhibits effective degradation of TC within a wide pH range of 3 − 11, and is less affected by Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, and HCO3− ions. Except for TC, MEBC showed removal effects on norfloxacin, carbamazepine, and atrazine through PI activation. Mechanism analysis revealed that •OH, IO3•, and 1O2 are the active species responsible for TC degradation in the system, mainly produced by active Fe2+ on the surface of MEBC, while surface C-OH and C = O groups play secondary roles. This work provides an efficient catalyst for PI activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is considered a prospective free-floating aquatic plant potentially used to address current issues on food, energy, and the environment. It can grow quickly and easily in various tropical and subtropical environments as long as it has access to adequate light and water to support photosynthetic growth. Ecosystems are threatened by their invasive growth and remarkable capacity for adaptation. However, managing this plant can result in valuable products. This paper demonstrates particle technologies that might be used to utilize water hyacinths, including brake pads, fertilizer, bioenergy, animal feed, phytoremediation agents, bioplastics, and adsorbents. This study is accompanied by a discussion based on the conducted experiments and currently available literature, providing readers with a clearer understanding. Water hyacinth's capacity to absorb macro- and micro-nutrients, nitrogen, and phosphorus makes it a good plant for phytoremediation. The prospect of producing cellulose makes it prospective as a biomass energy source and livestock feeding. Further, it can be transformed into high-cellulose content particles for applications in bioplastics, brake pads, and adsorbents. The current reports regarding education of water hyacinth to student also were added. Finally, issues and suggestions for future development related to the use of water hyacinths are discussed. This study is expected to provide comprehensive knowledge on how to turn invasive water hyacinth plants into valuable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An invasive assemblage refers to a group of invasive species that coexist and interact within an ecosystem, significantly altering its dynamics, biodiversity, functions, and ecosystem services. Their presence in lakes can severely affect these ecosystems. The objective of this article is to present an assessment using indexes of socioecological resilience to the impact of an assemblage of two invasive species (P. clarkii and E. crassipes) in a lake ecosystem, the Fúquene Lagoon in Colombia. Socioecological resilience indexes (rating scale: 0.0–100%) are developed based on community perception within the area of influence of the lake ecosystem under study. Indexes are developed for each dimension of analysis (ecological, social, and economic) and include a global resilience index. Community perception is obtained through a survey according to the dimensions of analysis. The results of the comprehensive assessment using the developed indexes suggest significant vulnerability of the ecological (index = 37.7%) and social (index = 40.9%) resilience of the lake ecosystem to the invasive species assemblage. The low-risk perception and limited implementation of preventive measures accentuate this fragility. Although the economic dimension shows greater robustness (index = 56.9%), it is imperative to strengthen the adaptive capacity of the socioecological system to mitigate the adverse impacts of biological invasions and ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem (global resilience index = 45%). Assessing lake ecosystems' recovery from invasive species requires a multidimensional approach, focusing on ecological, economic, and social factors to develop integrated management strategies for resilience and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horizontal flow constructed wetland (HFCW) is a method mimicking natural processes in which plantations are used to treat wastewater. This method demonstrates superior efficacy in the removal of organic pollutants and total nitrogen. Furthermore, it offers the advantage of reduced operational and maintenance expenses. This research employs a household-scale HFCW unit, utilizing water hyacinths (Eichornia crassipes) to treat greywater from a single house. The study aims to assess the HFCW unit's performance in treating greywater at a household scale, with effluent quality compared against Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation (Regulation Number 68/2016 on Domestic Wastewater Quality Standard) using testing methods in accordance with the Indonesian National Standards (SNI). The results indicate that the HFCW unit removal efficiencies after two days retention time are: BOD5 (74%-93%), COD (47%-80%), TSS (55%-97%), oil and grease (50%-94%), and ammonia (46%-99%). After three days, the unit generally demonstrates improved performance, which are: BOD5 (67%-96%), COD (57%-91%), TSS (51%-97%), oil and grease (11%-99%), and ammonia (35%-99%). Overall, the effluent quality meets government standards for both two- and three-days retention time, establishing the HFCW unit as an effective household-scale greywater treatment solution.

Packaging during the transportation process greatly influences the damage to horticultural products. Harvest apples are usually packed in wooden boxes or bamboo baskets and stacked until they reach maximum capacity. This makes the fruit easily damaged by bruising due to high piles. Based on these conditions, it is necessary to handle horticultural products in the form of apples to reduce damage to the fruit during transportation to maintain the quality of the apples until they reach consumers and extend the shelf life of the fruit. This research aims to design protective packaging for apples from a combination of water hyacinth and coconut fiber. The experimental method was carried out in this research with 2 factors consisting of 3 levels; factor one the combination of packaging materials, and factor two was the pressure of the packaging printer. Nine experimental units were obtained from the combination of the two treatments, namely K1T1 (E 90% + S 10%) with a pressing pressure of 400 psi, K1T1 (E 90% + S 10%) with a pressing pressure of 700 psi, K1T1 (E 90% + S 10% ) with a pressing pressure of 1000 psi, K2T1 (E 60% + S 40%) with a pressing pressure of 400 psi, K2T2 (E 60% + S 40%) with a pressing pressure of 700 psi, K2T3 (E 60% + S 40%) with pressing pressure 1000 psi, K3T1 (E 30% + S 70%) with pressing pressure 400 psi, K3T2 (E 30% + S 70%) with pressing pressure 700 psi, K3T3 (E 30% + S 70%) with pressing pressure 1000 psi. The results showed that the combination treatment of K2T2 with a pressing pressure of 700 psi provided the best protective quality for apples with the lowest percentage of mechanical damage and reduction in apple mass, at 5.556%, 2.55%, respectively. The springiness and texture values for apples were the highest with values respectively 3.17 mm, 16.7335N. Meanwhile, the highest packaging compressive strength value was obtained in the K3T3 treatment with a value of 26.164N.

Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes, used to be Eichhornia crassipes), one of the world's most notorious invasive species, poses significant threats to freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Despite its widespread presence in over 70 countries, there is a lack of comprehensive analyses about the impacts of water hyacinth. To fill this knowledge gap and to explore the multi-dimensional (physical, chemical, and biological) impacts of water hyacinth on freshwater ecosystems, we conducted a meta-analysis that synthesized data from 25 original studies encompassing 12 countries and three continents. We found that water hyacinth invasions lead to significant reductions in water dissolved oxygen levels (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = −2.26, 95% CI: [−3.94, −0.56]; p = 0.001) and nitrogen (SMD = −1.70, 95% CI: [−3.19, − 0.20]; p = 0.01). We also observed non-significant but notable trends of decreased water pH levels and increased macroinvertebrates abundance, suggesting complex interactions between water hyacinth and abiotic factors. Our analysis underscores the need for more localized studies to better understand the general impacts of water hyacinth invasions. Given the significant ecological disruptions caused by water hyacinth, effective management strategies are imperative to mitigate the adverse effects of this invasive species. Overall, this meta-analysis provides valuable insights into the ecological consequences of water hyacinth invasion, highlighting the urgent need for targeted research and intervention strategies to protect and restore affected freshwater ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and the growing demand for energy have prompted research on alternative eco-friendly energy sources. This study focused on the potential for biogas production from water hyacinth and banana peel waste through physicochemical characterization and batch anaerobic digestion tests. The water hyacinth and banana peel samples were dried, ground, and subjected to elemental, proximate, and fiber content analyses. Subsequently, banana peel waste, water hyacinth stems, and leaves were used for batch anaerobic digestion tests in 500 mL glass flask bottles for 21 days under mesophilic conditions in n = 3 trials. Kruskal–Wallis and Dunnett’s tests were performed to identify the significance of the differences in biogas yield among the samples. The analyses of the elemental, proximate, and fiber contents of water hyacinth and banana peels revealed that they possess a suitable chemical composition and essential nutrients for the production of high-yield biogas. The biogas yields from water hyacinth leaves, stems, and banana peels were 280.15, 324.79, and 334.82 mL/g VS, respectively. These findings indicate that water hyacinth and banana peel waste have significant potential for biogas production.

The production of lettuce has increased significantly due to the use of hydroponic systems that rely on substrates. Disposal and acquisition costs present problems, necessitating the identification of sustainable alternatives. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) dry matter in a substrate for the formation of lettuce seedlings. Water plants were collected to obtain their dry matter, and twelve mixtures were formed with Sphagnum and perlite. Mixtures with more water hyacinth dry matter exhibited greater water retention. However, these mixtures also lost water at a faster rate than those containing primarily Sphagnum dry matter did. Higher percentages of germination were detected in the mixtures with water hyacinth dry matter, but these seedlings also presented higher concentrations of proline, such as 16.0 µg mL−1. The mixtures with water hyacinth dry matter presented the highest ion concentrations, mainly at high levels of humidity. Mixtures with a high proportion of water hyacinth dry matter had a greater water retention capacity and a high percentage of lettuce seed that germinated. The mixtures with a higher proportion of Sphagnum led to greater root length, greater concentrations of chlorophyll in cotyledonary leaves, and better morphological development of the seedlings.

Eceng gondok is a weed plant that lives in shallow water areas. The aim of this research was to determine the burn wound healing activity of an ethanol extract of Eceng gondok leaves. The study utilized 28 male mice with burn injuries as test animals, dividing them into 4 groups. We gave a gel containing an ethanol extract to the 10% group. The 0% group received a gel base; the positive control group received Bioplacenton® gel; and the negative control group received no treatment. For 14 days, we administered treatment to all treatment and control groups once a day and measured the burn wound's diameter using the Morton method every two days. Data shown were significant differences between the 10% extract group and the positive control groups. The concentration that is effective in burn wound healing is 10%, with the smallest wound diameter and the largest healing percentage.

The water hyacinth (WH), also known as Eichhornia crassipes, is Bangladesh’s fast-growing and rapidly expanding sustainable aquatic bioenergy feedstock. The WH, as an energy crop, has been harnessed as a phytoremediation agent to purify contaminated water and produce fuel and environmentally friendly products. A country’s economy relies on the availability of raw materials for energy production, cleaning life-supporting abiotic resources for consumption, and the innovation of cost-effective, eco-friendly products. The present study focuses on a three-in-one nexus using the WH to purify polluted water, the (post-purification) biomass to produce clean energy fuels (biogas and bioethanol), and for the manufacture of daily-use products. The ability of the WH, an aquatic macrophyte, to act as a phytoremediator to improve the quality of eutrophic lake water in a laboratory setting was investigated. Water samples were collected from four lakes surrounding the urban community in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The potential to remove salts and solutes and improve the physio-chemical properties of water, including pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDSs), turbidity, and NaCl concentration, were assessed. During the aquatic macrophyte treatment, a 100% WH survival rate was shown, with no visible toxicity symptoms observed in the biomass. The WH improved water quality after one week, as determined by a significant decrease in turbidity, EC, NaCl, and TDSs, and improved pH and DO levels. Here, we establish the WH’s proficiency in removing nutrients/solutes and improving water quality. In addition, we discuss the utilization of this invasive aquatic biomass to produce energy after remediation of water including cost-effective and eco-friendly products to incur daily life with environmental and socioeconomic benefits in Bangladesh.

An experimental study was conducted in a natural pond to investigate host plant preference and plasticity in damselfly Onychargia atrocyana. The hypothesis was that this species has a host preference for oviposition and also sufficient plasticity to use other hosts in the absence of the preferred host. After mating, tandems were observed landing on plants in search of suitable oviposition substrates. The majority of landings occurred on Alternanthera philoxeroides, followed by Colocasia esculenta and Commelina diffusa. The frequency of landings on A. philoxeroides and C. esculenta was not significantly different, while landings on C. esculenta and C. diffusa did differ significantly. In the absence of emergent littoral plants, the damselflies exhibited plasticity in host preference and shifted ovipositional substrate by laying eggs on submerged areas of petioles of free-floating Eichhornia crassipes. Females of O. atrocyana exhibited a flexible oviposition strategy, transitioning from a combination of emergent and submerged oviposition to primarily selecting emergent oviposition in most cases. Additionally, they divided oviposition events into multiple phases when required to ensure successful reproduction. E. crassipes supported a higher rate of oviposition compared to other plants. A multiple regression analysis demonstrated that during submerged oviposition water temperature and pH were significant predictors of the duration of submergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of natural fibers (NFs) in polymer composites is a modern trend aimed at developing materials with numerous benefits, including low cost, environmental friendliness, biodegradability, and high specific mechanical performance. Ethiopia is abundant in NFs such as palm trees, sisal, water hyacinth, and the newly emerging water lilies. In areas like Lake Tana, Ethiopia, water lilies, much like water hyacinths, negatively impact water surfaces by covering them and reducing their surface area. Therefore, analyzing the mechanical and physical properties of composites reinforced with these fibers is crucial for diverse structural and industrial applications, considering factors such as tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness. In this study, a composite material consisting of a water lily–polyester resin matrix was prepared with varying matrix‐to‐fiber weight ratios (90/10 wt%, 80/20 wt%, 70/30 wt%, 60/40 wt%, 50/50 wt%, and 40/60 wt%). The experimental data revealed that the optimal mechanical properties, including maximum tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness, were achieved with a composition of 60% matrix material and 40% reinforcing material. These chopped water lily fiber–reinforced polyester composites demonstrate promising mechanical and physical properties, making them suitable for various applications, similar to other NFs like sisal and palm. Further studies, such as thermal analysis, could enhance the understanding and utilization of these composites. The fabricated water lily composite can serve as a viable alternative material for applications in automobile interior parts, building components, and electronic packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential for a non-native plant species to invade a new habitat depends on broadscale factors such as climate, local factors such as nutrient availability, and the biotic community of the habitat into which the plant species is introduced. We developed a spatially explicit model to assess the risk of expansion of a floating invasive aquatic plant species (FAV), the water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes), an invader in the United States, beyond its present range. Our model used known data on growth rates and competition with a native submersed aquatic macrophyte (SAV). In particular, the model simulated an invasion into a habitat with a mean annual temperature different from its own growth optimum, in which we also simulated seasonal fluctuations in temperature. Twenty different nutrient concentrations and eight different temperature scenarios, with different mean annual amplitudes of seasonal temperature variation around the mean of the invaded habitat, were simulated. In each case, the ability of the water hyacinth to invade and either exclude or coexist with the native vegetation was determined. As the temperature pattern was changed from tropical towards increasingly cooler temperate levels, the competitive advantage shifted from the tropical FAV to the more temperate SAV, with a wide range in which coexistence occurred. High nutrient concentrations allowed the coexistence of FAV, even at cooler annual temperatures. But even at the highest nutrient concentrations in the model, the FAV was unlikely to persist under the current climates of latitudes in the Southeastern United States above that of Northern Alabama. This result may have some implications for where control efforts need to be concentrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental enrichment is a reliable and useful tool for improving fish welfare in farms. Structural enrichment is widely studied and applied to fish, with positive effects also on the zootechnical parameters of fish farming. In our study, we examined whether artificial shelters and water hyacinth - structural enrichments - improve the quality of tilapia fillets. Tilapia juveniles (n = 480) underwent three independent treatments over 100 days: artificial water hyacinth enrichment, shelter enrichment, and control (no enrichment). After slaughtering, we evaluated physical-chemical indicators of meat quality. Whereas meat pH was not affected by the availability of enrichment, we found less lightness in terms of chroma b* of the flesh from tilapia raised with artificial water hyacinth and more flesh toughness in the texture of tilapia raised with shelter, indicating a higher-quality product. Regarding the fatty acid profile, differences were found when individually analyzed. All fatty acids that differed among treatments (C4:0, C23:0, C24:0, C16:1, and C24:1) exhibited better performance in groups reared with structural enrichment. In conclusion, improving Nile tilapia welfare with structural enrichment enhances its flesh quality. Thus, in addition to promoting the welfare of farmed fish, this enrichment may benefit both farmers and consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined application of biochar and fertilizer has become increasingly popular for improving soil quality and crop productivity. However, the reported research results regarding the effects of biochar on soil properties and crop productivity have contradictory findings, indicating the requirement for further scientific research. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a combined application of water hyacinth biochar (WHB) and NPS fertilizer on soil physicochemical properties and wheat yield under deficit irrigation conditions in acidic silty loam soil in Ethiopia. Four different biochar rates (0, 5, 10, and 20 t ha−1), three fertilizer rates (0, 100, and 200 kg NPS ha−1), and two irrigation regimes (50 and 100% of crop requirement) were evaluated to assess soil properties and wheat yields. The results showed that biochar amendment significantly reduced soil bulk density by 15.1–16.7%, and improved soil porosity by 6.8–8.6% and moisture content by 10.3–20.2%. Additionally, the combined application of biochar and fertilizer improved soil pH (0.26–0.87 units), NH4+–N (73.7–144%), NO3−–N (131–637%), and available phosphorus (85.8–427%), compared to the application of fertilizer alone. As a result, wheat dry biomass and grain yield increased by 260 and 173%, respectively. Furthermore, the combined application of WHB and fertilizer resulted in a comparable wheat dry biomass and grain yield even with a 50% reduction of irrigation water. Therefore, WHB has a significant potential to improve soil physicochemical properties and wheat yield when it is applied in combination with fertilizer, and it can reduce the water requirement for wheat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of lettuce has increased significantly due to the use of hydroponic systems that rely on substrates. Disposal and acquisition costs present problems, necessitating the identification of sustainable alternatives. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) dry matter in a substrate for the formation of lettuce seedlings. Water plants were collected to obtain their dry matter, and twelve mixtures were formed with Sphagnum and perlite. Mixtures with more water hyacinth dry matter exhibited greater water retention. However, these mixtures also lost water at a faster rate than those containing primarily Sphagnum dry matter did. Higher percentages of germination were detected in the mixtures with water hyacinth dry matter, but these seedlings also presented higher concentrations of proline, such as 16.0 µg mL−1. The mixtures with water hyacinth dry matter presented the highest ion concentrations, mainly at high levels of humidity. Mixtures with a high proportion of water hyacinth dry matter had a greater water retention capacity and a high percentage of lettuce seed that germinated. The mixtures with a higher proportion of Sphagnum led to greater root length, greater concentrations of chlorophyll in cotyledonary leaves, and better morphological development of the seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]