Research Article

Use of Hyacinth Compost in Salt-Affected Soils

Khalil Ahmed1*, Amar Iqbal Saqib1, Abdul Rasul Naseem1, Ghulam Qadir1, Muhammad Qaisar Nawaz1, Muhammad Khalid2, Imtiaz Ahmad Warraich3 and Muhammad Arif4

1Soil Salinity Research Institute (SSRI), Pindi Bhattian, Pakistan; 2Soil and Water Testing Laboratory Bhakkar, Pakistan; 3Citrus Research Institute Sargodha, Pakistan; 4Soil and Water Testing Laboratory Layyah, Pakistan.

Received | February 12, 2020; Accepted | August 24, 2020; Published | October 05, 2020

*Correspondence | Khalil Ahmed, Soil Salinity Research Institute (SSRI), Pindi Bhattian, Pakistan; Email: khalilahmeduaf@gmail.com

Citation | Ahmed, K., A.I. Saqib, A.R. Naseem, G. Qadir, M.Q. Nawaz, M. Khalid, I.A. Warraich and M. Arif. 2020. Use of hyacinth compost in salt-affected soils. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 33(4): 720-728.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjar/2020/33.4.720.728

Keywords | Hyacinth, Compost, Gypsum, Salinity, Rice, Wheat

Introduction

Any material (organic or inorganic), applied to soil to provide one or more essential plant nutrients is called fertilizer (Vidya and Lakshmi, 2014). Weeds are one of the overlooked natural resources that can support and help to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. The addition of compost to salt-affected soil improved the soil properties including soil porosity water holding capacity, improved nutritional status, bulk density, soil pHs, ECe and SAR (Zaka et al., 2018; Wright et al., 2007).

Aquatic weed, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) grows at an alarming rate and float freely on rivers, ponds, lakes etc. (Lata and Veenapani, 2011). Due to its harmful effects on people’s livelihoods and water bodies, it is known as the most obnoxious weed in the world (Wilson et al., 2005; Singh and Bishnoi, 2013). Attempts made to control this weed through different means like biological, physical and chemicals have met with little success (Abdelsabour, 2010). Nonetheless, different researchers presented the idea to obtain the benefits from this aquatic weed rather than seeing it as a rogue plant (Anjanabha and Kumar, 2010). Suitable and effective exploitation of the discarded hyacinth weed is indispensable as waste management (Ganguly et al., 2012; Sotolu, 2013). The cost-effective and simplest technique that can be employed is composting of this aquatic weed (Gupta et al., 2007). Water hyacinth, besides being a menace in water bodies, can be a cost-effective substitute for organic fertilizer in abundant quantity (Adesina et al., 2011). In India, almost 200,000 ha of watercourses contain approximately 250 t ha-1 of water hyacinth and 100 tons of water hyacinth can produce 10 tons of compost so there is possibility of almost 5 million tons of hyacinth compost (Gratch, 1968).

Water hyacinth is a rich source of potassium that is present in sufficient amounts, particularly in its stalk (Gunnnarsson and Petersen, 2007). It is also documented as a rich source of phosphorus and nitrogen (Sahu et al., 2002). Water hyacinth compost could then be added to soil as a source of organic NPK which are the most crop growth limiting plant nutrients (Wasonga et al., 2008). Water hyacinth compost is increasingly being used as organic manure to supply nutrients for plant growth (Malik, 2007). According to Balasubramanian et al. (2013) hyacinth compost has a great potential to accelerate microbial activities that maintained the soil nutrient pool. Water hyacinth composted material is a rich source of N (3.2% in its dry mass) with a C: N ratio of 8 to 15 (Khan and Sarwar, 2002; Gunnarsson and Petersen, 2006). Osoro et al. (2014) stated that hyacinth compost can be efficiently used to enhanced maize production and restoration of soil health. They reported that compost from water hyacinth positively influenced the plant height, and root and shoot dry weight of maize crop. Hyacinth compost is the best alternative of organic manure as it significantly increases the protein, chlorophyll and reduces sugar contents, and improves the germination%, root and shoot length and biomass of wheat plants. Soil health was also improved by augmented organic matter contents (Vidya and Lakshmi, 2014).

Sanni and Adesina (2012) studied the response of Celosia argentea (Lagos spinach) to application of water hyacinth manure. They reported that growth and yield parameters of C. argentea were remarkably influenced by all applied treatment and hyacinth manure at the rate of 2.64 kg/plot (plot size of 2.7m × 1.5m) was the best among all the treatments. Similarly, Abdel-Fattah (2012) reported that the different combinations of gypsum with organic amendments (water hyacinth compost, and rice straw compost) were more useful in reducing the pHs, SAR and ECe of salt-affected soil than their sole application. Khan and Sarwar (2002) studied the effect of four levels of hyacinth compost (300, 500 and 1000 g per pot filled at the rate of six kg of soil) on physicochemical properties of soil and rice crop. They reported that increasing levels of compost increased the cation exchange capacity, reserved the moisture contents, and enhanced the formation of micro aggregate of soil. Rice grain yield increased by 8.13 % with the highest level of compost and they recommended the hyacinth compost as a very good natural source of organic fertilizer. Lekshmi and Viveka (2011) assessed the effect of fungal treated hyacinth compost on the performance of Abelmoschus esculentus. They stated that hyacinth compost remarkably increased the germination%, plant height, flowers and fruits of Abelmoschus esculentus, and enhanced the soil fertility status by improving the availability and content of the soil macro and micro-nutrients.

So, the current study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of hyacinth compost with gypsum and alone as an ameliorant for the reclamation of saline-sodic soil.

 

Materials and Methods

The present research work was carried out from 2015 to 2018 at Soil Salinity Research Institute, Pindi Bhattian, Pakistan. Before start of study, soil had SAR = 44.24, ECe = 5.02 (dS m-1), pHs = 8.91, GR = 10.18 (t ha-1), HC = 0.35 (cm hr-1), BD = 1.66 (Mg m-3). Treatments included were: T1, control, T2, gypsum @ 100 % GR, T3, gypsum @ 50 % of GR, T4, hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1, T5, gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 5 t ha-1, T6, gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1, T7, gypsum @ 50 % of GR+ hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in RCBD having three repeats. Hyacinth compost was prepared according to (How to build a compost www.exsands. com/ Gardening/ how to buildac). Fresh water hyacinth was collected from a nearby drain. It was chopped into small pieces. Cemented bins with size of 1.25 × 1.25×1.25 meters were used for compositing purpose. Bins were filled with alternate layers of water hyacinth (7 cm) and soil (3 cm). Compositing material was mixed after every fifteen days to ensure the proper decomposition. Well rotten decomposed compost was ready after 14 weeks (Table 1). Hyacinth compost and gypsum was applied thirty days before rice transplantation according to the treatment plan. During Kharif season 2015, rice (Shaheen Basmati) nursery was transplanted. Fertilizers @ 150-90-60 NPK kg ha-1 were applied to rice. Agronomic and plant protection measures were applied uniformly. Yield and yield characteristics of rice crop were recorded at the physical maturity of the crop. After the harvest of rice crop, wheat crop (Faislabad-2008) was sown in the same field. Fertilizers @ 160-114-60 NPK kg ha-1 were applied. All agronomic and plant protection measures were applied uniformly. Yield and yield determining parameters were recorded at maturity. Soil samples were collected at the end of the study and were analyzed for pHs, ECe, SAR, bulk density and hydraulic conductivity according to U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff (1954). The collected crop data (rice and wheat) was statistically analyzed. The treatment mean comparison was made using the Least Significant Difference Test @ 5% probability (Steel et al., 1997) using STATISTIX 8.1 package software.

 

Table 1: Chemical composition of hyacinth compost.

Determinations	Units
pH	-	5.85
EC	dS m-1	0.56
Organic-C	%	32.00
Total-N	%	1.72
C/N ratio	-	18.60
P	%	0.096
K	%	0.72

 

Results and Discussion

Rice crop

Pooled data of rice crop showed that gypsum and hyacinth compost significantly influenced the growth characteristics of rice crop, however, at the same time integrated use of gypsum and hyacinth compost showed more positive effects than their sole application. Data in (Table 2) displayed that gypsum and hyacinth compost significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the plant height and maximum value of 133.67 cm was observed in T7 (gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1) which was insignificant with gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1 (T6). Whereas, the lowest plant height of 120.0 cm was documented in control (T1). Data about spikelet panicle-1 and tillers m-2 showed that maximum spikelet (215) and tillers (230) were observed with gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1 followed by gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1 and statistically both treatments were alike. On the other hand, minimum tillers (215) and spikelet (200) were observed where no amendments were used i.e. in control (Table 2). Data revealed that the highest 1000-grain weight (30 g) was divulged at gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1, followed by gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1 and gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 5 t ha-1 and all the treatments were statistically alike (Table 3). While, control produced the lowest 1000-grain weight of 25 g. Data about paddy and straw yield showed inclining pattern, amongst all the treatments, combination of gypsum and hyacinth compost performed better than their individual application. Compost @ 10 and 15 t ha-1 with gypsum performed equally well in paddy and straw yield, however, compost @ 10 t showed its superiority over other treatments and maximum paddy (3.71 t ha-1) and straw yield (9.29 t ha-1) was documented in gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1 (Table 3). On the contrary, minimum paddy (1.85 t ha-1) and straw yield (4.94 t ha-1) were documented in T1 i.e. control.

Wheat crop

Data about wheat crop exhibited that increasing levels of hyacinth compost with gypsum significantly improved growth and yield attributes, however, hyacinth compost remained effective only up to 10 t ha-1 and further increase had no significant influence on these attributes. Data in (Table 4) showed that taller plants (70.66 cm) were observed in gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1 statistically insignificant with gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1. Data also showed that maximum number of tillers (162.67), grain spike-1 (30) and 1000-grain weight (33 g) were ensued with gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1 statistically alike with gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1. Minimum number of tillers (133.33), 1000-grain weight (26 g) and grain spike-1 (25) were divulged in control. Yield data revealed that maximum grain (3.58 t ha-1) and straw yield (4.62 t ha-1) were achieved with application of gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1 followed by gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth

 

Table 2: Effect of hyacinth compost and gypsum on rice growth (average of three seasons).

Treatments	Plant height (cm)	No. of spikelet panicle-1	No. of tillers m-2
T1 - Control	120.00 d	200.00 e	215.00 d
T2 - Gypsum @ 100% of GR	126.33 bc	208.33 bc	223.00 b
T3 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR	125.00 bc	204.67 cd	221.00 bc
T4 -Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	124.33 c	200.67 de	218.33 cd
T5 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 5 t ha-1	127.33 b	214.00 a	223.67 b
T6 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1	131.33 a	215.00 a	230.00 a
T7 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	133.67 a	212.67 ab	229.33 a
LSD	2.7128	4.5189	3.885

 

Table 3: Effect of hyacinth compost and gypsum on rice growth (average of three seasons).

Treatments	Paddy Yield (t ha-1)	Straw Yield (t ha-1)	1000 grain weight (g)
T1 - Control	1.85 d	4.94 d	25.00 c
T2 - Gypsum @ 100% of GR	3.64 a	9.35 a	27.33 b
T3 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR	2.58 c	6.86 c	26.66 bc
T4 -Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	2.44 c	6.43 c	25.66 bc
T5 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 5 t ha-1	2.96 b	7.79 b	29.33 a
T6 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1	3.71 a	9.29 a	30.00 a
T7 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	3.52 a	8.97 a	29.66 a
LSD	0.2261	0.5258	1.6996

 

Table 4: Effect of hyacinth compost and gypsum on wheat growth (average of three seasons).

Treatments	Plant height (cm)	No. of grain spike-1	No. of tillers m-2
T1 - Control	60.00 e	25.00 d	133.33 c
T2 - Gypsum @ 100% of GR	65.00 cd	27.33 bc	156.33 ab
T3 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR	63.33 d	26.00 cd	151.33 b
T4 -Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	60.66 e	25.66 cd	150.00 b
T5 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 5 t ha-1	66.66 bc	28.66 ab	160.67 a
T6 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1	68.66 ab	30.00 ab	162.67 a
T7 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	70.66 a	29.00 a	161.00 a
LSD	2.6425	2.0110	6.6185

 

Table 5: Effect of hyacinth compost and gypsum on wheat growth (average of three seasons).

Treatments	Grain Yield (t ha-1)	Straw Yield (t ha-1)	1000 grain weight (g)
T1 - Control	1.52 d	2.02 d	26.00 c
T2 - Gypsum @ 100% of GR	3.53 a	4.59 a	28.33 b
T3 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR	2.89 bc	3.82 bc	27.33 bc
T4 -Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	2.68 c	3.56 c	27.00 bc
T5 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 5 t ha-1	3.10 b	4.03 b	29.00 b
T6 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1	3.58 a	4.62 a	33.00 a
T7 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	3.49 a	4.51 a	32.00 a
LSD	0.3318	0.4380	2.0966

 

compost @ 15 t ha-1 and gypsum @ 100 % of GR and these treatments were statistically insignificant from each other (Table 5). Whereas minimum grain (1.52 t ha-1) and straw (2.02 t ha-1) yield were recorded in control.

 

Table 6: Effect of hyacinth compost and gypsum on soil chemical properties at the end of study.

Treatments	ECe	% decrease over initial value	pHs	% decrease over initial value
T1 - Control	4.98	0.80	8.88	0.34
T2 - Gypsum @ 100% of GR	2.78	44.62	8.26	7.30
T3 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR	3.29	34.46	8.44	5.27
T4 -Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	3.79	24.50	8.57	3.82
T5 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 5 t ha-1	3.14	37.45	8.37	6.06
T6 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1	2.76	45.02	8.29	6.96
T7 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	2.86	43.03	8.27	7.18

 

Table 7: Effect of hyacinth compost and gypsum on soil chemical properties at the end of study.

Treatments	SAR	% decrease over initial value
T1 - Control	44.16	0.18
T2 - Gypsum @ 100% of GR	12.26	72.29
T3 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR	20.52	53.62
T4 -Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	27.24	38.43
T5 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 5 t ha-1	15.04	66.00
T6 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1	10.86	75.45
T7 - Gypsum @ 50 % of GR + Hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1	12.08	72.69

 

Soil properties

Soil analysis data displayed that soil physical and chemical properties were substantially improved at the end of study by gypsum and hyacinth compost applied either singly or in combination, however, at the same time their integrated use was more effective in reclaiming the salt-affected soil than their sole application. Data regarding the soil ECe revealed that maximum reduction of 45.02% over its initial value was noted with gypsum @ 50% of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1 followed by gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1 with a reduction of 43.03% over its initial value (Table 6). Whereas, minimum reduction in ECe (0.80%) was recorded in control. With respect to soil pHs maximum reduction (7.18%) was observed with gypsum @ 50% of GR + hyacinth compost @ 15 t ha-1 and lowest reduction of 0.34% was noted where no amendments were used i.e. in control (Table 6). Similarly, soil sodicity indicator i.e. SAR was also significantly improved by the amendments. Maximum reduction (75.45%) in soil SAR was recorded with gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1 and lowest reduction (0.18%) was noted in control (Table 7). Data regarding soil bulk density showed that hyacinth compost @ 10 and 15 t ha-1 with gypsum @ 50 % of GR performed equally in improving the soil bulk density with a maximum reduction of 4.79 % over its initial value and on the other hand minimum reduction of 0.60 % was documented in control (Figure 1). Soil hydraulic conductivity was also remarkably ameliorated by gypsum and hyacinth compost. A maximum increase (31.43%) in hydraulic conductivity was documented with gypsum @ 100% of soil GR. On the contrary, a minimum increase of 2.86% was observed in control (Figure 2).

 

 

Water hyacinth with a terrific potential of high rate of vegetative growth (Wilson et al., 2005) causing a severe interruption to the nation’s development activities (Maine et al., 1999). It degraded the water quality and reduces its movement, blockage of canals and rivers, clogging water supply ways, restricted the oxygen and light diffusion and causes the changes in the plant and animal community (Gopal, 1987). Despite of all these environmental hazardous created by water hyacinth, some advantageous aspects have also been reported. It is worthful in making of ropes, carbon black production, mushroom bedding material, biogas production, use in traditional medicine, production of fiber boards, green manure, ornamental plant, fish feed and as animal fodders (Jayaweera et al., 2007; Singh and Bishnoi, 2013; Vidya and Lakshmi, 2014). Owing to low lignin content of 9% and a narrow C: N ratio of 1:24.3 this obnoxious waterweed has high potential productivity for organic fertilizers (Jafri, 2010). Previously, hyacinth compost is reported as nutrient rich organic fertilizer which accelerated the microbial activities and enhanced the fertility status of the soil. So, it was decided to assess the ameliorative effect of hyacinth compost on the poor health of salt-affected soil and the productivity of rice-wheat crops. Hyacinth compost and gypsum were applied either singly or in different combinations. Results of three years study revealed that hyacinth compost with gypsum produced more pronounced effects on growth and yield characteristics of rice and wheat crops than their sole application. In most cases, yield and yield characteristics of both crops were remarkably increased with gypsum @ 50 % of GR and hyacinth compost application @ 10 t ha-1 while further increase in compost quantity i.e. 15 t ha-1 could not produce the significant effect and most of the yield determining factors of both crops remain stagnant. Improved crop growth and yield of rice or wheat crop with gypsum and hyacinth compost @ 10 and 15 t ha-1 may be attributed to improved fertility status of soil, as hyacinth compost is rich source of essential macro and micro-nutrients (Balasubramanian et al., 2013; Viveka and Grace, 2009) which release during mineralization process. The results are consistent with earlier findings that water hyacinth compost increased the yield of corn, onion, sesame, rice, gourd and brinjal (Majid et al., 1980; Majid, 1983, 1992). Comparable results were reported by (Gunnarsson and Petersen, 2007) that hyacinth compost improved the nutritional status of poor soil and consequently crop yield is increased. Similarly, composted water hyacinth material increased the yield of rice (Amitava et al., 2008), cowpea (Seoudi, 2013) and tomato (Kayum et al., 2008). Chukwuka and Omotayo (2009) suggested that hyacinth compost improved soil fertility on a sustainable basis by supplying the nitrogen during the mineralization process which results the increased production of Zea mays crop. Hyacinth compost remarkably improved the growth parameters in wheat crop (Widjajanto et al., 2001) and physicochemical properties and microbial activities in soil (Lata and Veenapani, 2011). Furthermore, being easily decomposable water hyacinth qualifies as a potential organic source for nutrient management which can also stimulate microbial activities (Balasubramanian et al., 2013). Brassica Juncea showed a positive response in growth and yield to water hyacinth manure application (Lata and Veenapani, 2011). In addition, plants were also benefited through improved soil properties by the ameliorative effects of gypsum (Ahmed et al., 2015).

 

 

Soil analysis data of the current study exhibited that soil properties were noticeably improved with integrated use of gypsum and compost. Gypsum is a rich source of Ca2+ which substitutes the Na+ from the exchange site and leaches it out of root zone and consequently, soil properties were improved (Abdel-Fattah, 2012). On the other hand, hyacinth compost releases the organic acids and CO2 during mineralization (Tisdale et al., 1985) which solubilizes the native Ca2+ to replace Na+ from the exchange site (Qadir and Oster, 2002). Therefore, a sharp decline in soil salinity indices (pHs, ECe and SAR) was observed with hyacinth compost and gypsum.

The effects of soil ECe, pHs and SAR are directly translated into soil physical properties. The higher value of BD indicates harder and less porous soil. Soil BD was also substantially improved with the application of gypsum and hyacinth compost which correspond to more favorable soil conditions. Similarly, hydraulic conductivity also increased manifold with hyacinth compost and gypsum. Improved value of soil bulk density and hydraulic conductivity may be explained on the basis that gypsum improves the soil porosity and flocculation of clay particles (Shainberg et al., 1989). Several researchers also concluded that gypsum and compost improved the soil physical properties (Ahmed et al., 2015; Zaka et al., 2018)

 

Conclusions and Recommendations

Water hyacinth compost can be used to support with partial replacement of chemical fertilizers to improve crop production and to amend the deteriorated properties of saline-sodic soil. From the above results, it is established that the combined use of hyacinth compost and gypsum is more beneficial than their individual application. Hyacinth compost @ 10 and 15 t ha-1 with gypsum @ 50 % of GR performed equally in all studied parameters of rice and wheat crops and soil properties. Therefore, integrated use of gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost @ 10 t ha-1 in salt-affected soils may promote better utilization of this obnoxious waterweed.

 

Novelty Statement

Unwanted aquatic weed, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is considered as a rogue plant, whereas composting of discarded hyacinth weed is a suitable waste management technique. In salt affected soils integrated use of gypsum @ 50 % of GR + hyacinth compost@ 10 t ha-1, seem as economical and a potential agro-ecological strategy for improving the deteriorated properties of saline-sodic soil and crop production.

 

Author’s Contribution

Khalil Ahmed, conceived the idea, conducted the study for three years and wrote the article, Amar Iqbal Saqib and Ghulam Qadir, wrote abstract and materials and methods, Muhammad Qaisar Nawaz, Muhammad Khalid, and Muhammad Arif did data collection and statistical analysis, Abdul Rasul Naseem and Imtiaz Ahmad Warraich, provided technical input at every step.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

 

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