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Water hyacinths:
turning a weed into a win-win situation
In Thailand, this former waterway pest is fueling agriculture, exports - and
more research.

In the last few years, however, the water hyacinth is being viewed in a new
light. Suhsuttijed Chantrasiri, researcher at Thailand Institute of
Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), explains. "The object of our
research was how to use what we would normally waste." So along with the
Thai Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment, TISTR worked hard
to make alternate uses of the water hyacinth profitable. Several utilization
programs began in 1992 and have recently transformed the image of the weed.

Decaying water hyacinth was found to be the perfect medium to cultivate
valuable straw mushrooms (hed fang in Thai) and has been successful as an
ingredient in a water-hyacinth-based fiber board for construction.

Because it rots in 15 days, it is an ideal component in fertilizer. Weed
harvested from the Bangkok area is used in a new fertilizer factory to
provide low cost organic fertilizer for farms. But the real success, both
economically and in terms of eliminating the weed, lies in the field of
wickerwork. Wicker items made from the stems have proved extremely popular
in Germany and Japan, where environmentally friendly products are
fashionable. Rural farmers can gain valuable extra income from wickerwork in
the off-season. The success of wickerwork sales has in fact caused a
shortage of water hyacinth and, incredibly, the weed must be brought in from
other areas to maintain production levels.
....
Meanwhile, other uses for the water hyacinth are also being studied. "We are
testing fermenting water hyacinth for butane gas production," Chantrasiri
says, "also using it for 'green fuel'--water hyacinth compacted into cooking
wood. It's a versatile plant." The water hyacinth has witnessed an amazing
and unexpected turnaround. While many invasive plants have given rise to
some well-intentioned, but ultimately inconsequential ideas for their use,
it is a rare weed indeed that can eventually lay claim to being in high
demand as a raw material.


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"WilsonKKW" wrote in message
...
water Hyanacthin --question?
does anyoneknow if you can plant in in your garden?
I have too much and want to know other uses