Evaluation the effectiveness of Nano-chitosan with wax to control the growth of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Water hyacinth is an aggressive invasive plant. The infestation can double in size every 5 days under ideal conditions, quickly covering the surface of the water and taking over an entire stream. This plant's ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures, nutrients, and pH levels gives it a superior advantage over other native freshwater plants whose growth is generally slower. In the current research, the growth of the water hyacinth plant was treated in an environmentally friendly manner. This is done by spraying a thick layer of the nano-chitosan mixture with wax repeatedly for 10 consecutive days. The result was yellowing and gradual wilting of the leaves. From the first 24 hours of spraying the nano-mixture until 10 days of treatment have passed. During the treatment period, stiffness, blackening, and tearing of the leaf edges were observed, which led to a decrease in the wet weight from (109 - 75) grams. The number of dead leaves increased from (1 - 29) and the length of the plant decreased, reaching (40 - 26) cm compared to the control plant. Decreased chlorophyll reaching (28.3 – 9.8) cm compared to the control plant The water evaporation rate was measured, reaching (23-20), and the laboratory temperature was measured continuously during the plant’s acclimatization period and after the treatment period.

The current study aims to identify the effect of spraying a mixture of chitosan nanoparticles with wax on the growth and production water hyacinth plants, evaluate the amount of water lost in evaporation and transpiration, and the possibility of developing an effective and successful biological control strategy in the biological control of invasive plants.