Diversity of Aquatic Weeds at Noakhali Sadar in Bangladesh

Md. Imrul Kaisar1, Ripon Kumar Adhikary2, Moon Dutta1, Shuva Bhowmik3* 1Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh 2Department of Fisheries and Marine Bioscience, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore, Bangladesh 3Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

*Corresponding author: Shuva Bhowmik, Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to investigate the aquatic weeds diversity and abundance at Noakhali Sadar, Bangladesh. This paper focused on species variation, number of species, water quality parameters and identification of aquatic weeds. It was assessed by collecting samples from two fish cultured ponds, two floodplains and two roadside canals during May to October, 2013. According to this study, total 22 species belonging to 12 orders, 16 families and 21 genus were found. Again, 46%, 28%, 26% of total aquatic weeds were identified from the floodplains, roadside canals and culture ponds, respectively. During this study period, nine species of family Pontederiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Menyanthaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Araceae, Amaranthaceae, Polygonaceae were common in culture ponds, floodplains and roadside canals. Number of aquatic weeds was lowest in culture ponds due to the effective management. Noticeable species– Lemna minor, Marsilea quadrifolia, Ludwigia palustris, Aeschynomene aspera, Najas graminea, Hydrilla verticillata, Najas guadalupensis, Utricularia inflata were only found in floodplains. On the other hand, two species were common in fish cultured ponds and floodplain- Pistia stratiotes and Equisetum hyemale. Prominent species of roadside canals were Cyperus rotundus and Xanthium indicum. Management technique and water quality parameters were also studied during study period namely water temperature, salinity, transparency, dissolve oxygen (DO) and pH. Average pH was recorded 7.6, 8.0 and 8.5 in fish cultured ponds, Floodplains and roadside canals, respectively. pH was highest in roadside canals because of its high dead organic load. Furthermore, DO levels were stable at 5.25, 4.6 and 4.75 ppm in fish cultured ponds, Floodplains and roadside canals, respectively. This difference may arise due to the using of aerator in the cultured ponds same as decomposition, intensity of light in floodplains and roadside canals. In average, Am. J. Sci. Ind. Res., 2016, 7(4): 117-128

Transparency was 40 cm in floodplains and roadside canals; the lowest transparency 30 cm in cultured ponds due to use of hormonal feed and fertilizer. Temperature was recorded 300C in an average and no significant difference among the water bodies. The infestation of freshwater bodies by aquatic weeds influences water management in ponds, rivers, reservoirs and canals. This study reveals that weed species are varied among the culture ponds, floodplains and roadside canals and their density is also different. This study will help in the perfect management of the aquaculture systems to increase the fish production and hence will develop the economy. Keywords: Aquatic weeds, cultured ponds, floodplains, roadside canals and effective management.

INTRODUCTION concentrations of ammonia. Nevertheless, The vegetation of haors, beels, lakes, and plants can cause problems in ponds and ponds rich in aquatic weed and constitute control measures often must be used to very important resources of food medicine eliminate or reduce their abundance for rural population (Khan et al., 2011). (Durborow, 2007). Most filamentous algae Aquatic weeds constitute an important role begin growing on the bottom of the pond in aquatic ecosystems and contribute to the and rise to the surface when gas bubbles general fitness and diversity of a healthy become entrapped in the plant mass. These aquatic ecosystem (Flint and Madsen, 1995) filamentous algae are also known as “pond by acting as indicators for water quality and scum” or more commonly “moss” (Tucker, aiding in nutrient cycling (Carpenter and 2007). Higher aquatic plants also known as Lodge, 1986). From ecological point of view, aquatic weeds, are those plants which aquatic plants stabilize bottom sediment, growing in or near water and complete at protect the shoreline from wave erosion, and least a part of their life cycle in water serve as feeding and nesting habitat for resources (Durborow, 2007). The waterfowl. These plants provide food, Macrophytes are classified broadly into six shelter and reproductive habitat or breeding groups based upon their size, shape and ground for numerous fish and other aquatic growth habits. Following are classified as animals (Lancer et al., 2002). submersed weeds, emerged weeds, marginal weeds and floating weeds (Joshi, The excessive growth of aquatic weed 2012). Many aquatic weeds such as Pistia restricts fishing, swimming and recreational stratiotes, Azolla pinnata, Eichhornia activities, causes foul taste and odor of crassipes etc. are used for making compost drinking water supplies. It also leads to fertilizer to use in fish pond and agriculture stunting of fish populations and fish kill due land .Some fishes use aquatic weed as to decomposition (Lansing, 2005). Plants food. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are a necessary component of pond largely uses aquatic weed as food. Tilapia ecosystems because they perform valuable spp. Cyprinus carpio use weeds as food to functions. Photosynthesizing plants produce some extent. Many fishes eat soft parts of oxygen that is needed to sustain fish life. these plants in small quantity. Moreover Also, plants assimilate ammonia that is these plants harbour many insects, small excreted by fish thereby helping to prevent invertebrates and periphyton which are used accumulation of potentially toxic

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as fish food. Rooted aquatic weeds prevent increase fish production and as animal food erosion of bottom soil. Colloidal particles and as fertilizer. aggregate and become heavier and settle to MATERIAL AND METHODS the bottom due to presence of higher aquatic plants as because colloidal particles Description of selected area: Culture are negatively charged and higher aquatic ponds of SABI and BAP, floodplains of plants produce positively charged ions. Bangla Bazar and NSTU; roadside canals of However, they can be used carefully in well- Zed More and NSTU were selected to managed and controlled conditions that can accomplish the experiment (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1: Map showed the location of research station

Sample collection: The samples were taken at different angles & views. collected on selected site basis from Photographs were taken in fresh condition of selected area in using different plastic bags the specimen using a digital camera. for each sample. The samples were Taxonomic study and identification: collected from water surface and below the Based on the photographs and sample water surface in the morning hour between observation taxonomy of the samples were 8-10 am. The samples were taken to the determined within 3-4 h by using several laboratory within one hour. books. Taking photographs: Samples were kept in Data analyses: Data were processed and different tray at laboratory. Color finally analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2007. photographs of the individual weeds were

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RESULTS weeds in the selected area are given in Aquatic weeds abundance: At the time of Table with their local names and scientific study, different types of species of weeds names (Table 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). were found in the study area. The available Table 1: Available species of Aquatic weed in two fish farms (SABI and BAP) Table 1.1: Culture pond of SABI SL No. Local name Scientific name

1 Kachuri pana Eichhornia crassipes

2 Kalmilata Ipomaea aquatica

3 Topa pana Pistia stratiotes

4 Malancha Alternanthere philoxeroidis

5 Arail Leersia hexandra

6 Tara lota Mikania cordata

7 Spike rush Equisetum hyemale

8 Chand mala Nymphoides aquatica

9 Kochu Colocasia esculenta

10 Biskatali Polygonum coccineum

11 Helencha Enhydra fluctuans

Table 1.2: Culture pond of BAP

SL No. Local name Scientific name

1 Kachuri pana Eichhornia crassipes 2 Helencha Enhydra fluctuans 3 Chand mala Nymphoides aquatica 4 Kalmilata Ipomaea aquatica 5 Kochu Colocasia esculenta 6 Tara lota Mikania cordata 7 Topa pana Pistia stratiotes

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Table 2: Available species of Aquatic weeds in floodplains Table 2.1: Floodplains I SL No. Local name Scientific name 1 Kachuri pana Eichhornia crassipes 2 Shapla Nymphaea nouchali 3 Arail Leersia hexandra 4 Kalmilata Ipomaea aquatica 5 Spike rush Equisetum hyemale 6 Chand mala Nymphodies aquatica 7 Hobon Utricularia inflate 8 Topa pana Pistia stratiotes 9 Malancha Alternanthere philoxeroidis 10 Kochu Colocasia esculenta 11 Tara lota Mikania cordata 12 Biskatali Polygonum coccineum 13 Goromi Najas guadalupensis 14 Kormota Ludwigia palustris

15 Shushni pata Marsilea quadrifolia

16 Helencha Enhydra fluctuans

17 Khudi pana Lemna minor

18 Hydrilla grass Hydrilla verticillata

19 Najas grass Najas graminea

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Table 2.2: Floodplains II

SL No. Local name Scientific name 1 Kachuripana Eichhornia crassipes 2 Shapla Nymphaea nouchali 3 Arail Leersia hexandra 4 Spike rush Equisetum hyemale 5 Chand mala Nymphodies aquatica 6 Hobon Utricularia inflata 7 Topa pana Pistia stratiotes 8 Malancha Alternanthere philoxeroidis 9 Tara lota Mikania cordata 10 Vatshola Aeschynomene aspera 11 Biskatali Polygonum coccineum 12 Goromi Najas guadalupensis 13 Helencha Enhydra fluctuans

Table 3: Available species of Aquatic weeds in Roadside canals Table 3.1: Roadside Canal I

SL Local name Scientific name No. 1 Kachuri pana Eichhornia crassipes 2 Helencha Enhydra fluctuans 3 Chand mala Nymphoides aquatica 4 Kalmilata Ipomaea aquatica 5 Kochu Colocasia esculenta 6 Tara lota Mikania cordata 7 Shapla Nymphaea nouchali 8 Arail Leersia hexandra 9 Biskatali Polygonum coccineum

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Table 3.2: Roadside Canal II

SL No. Local name Scientific name 1 Kachuri pana Eichhornia crassipes 2 Helencha Enhydra fluctuans 3 Chand mala Nymphoides aquatica 4 Kalmilata Ipomaea aquatica 5 Kochu Colocasia esculenta 6 Tara lota Mikania cordata 7 Shapla Nymphaea nouchali 8 Arail Leersia hexandra 9 Biskatali Polygonum coccineum 10 Malancha Alternanthere philoxeroidis 11 Mutha Cyperus rotundus 12 Gagra Xanthium indicum

Table 4: Generic status of the aquatic weeds recorded from selected site during study period

SL Order Family Genus Species Habitat Type 01 Commelinales Pontederiaceae Eichhornia E. crassipes CP,FP,RC

02 Alismatales Araceae Pistia P. stratiote CP,FP Colocasia C. esculenta CP,FP,RC Lemna Lemna minor FP Hydrocharitaceae Najas N. FP guadalupensis N. graminea FP Hydrilla H. verticillata FP 03 Solanales Convolvulaceae Ipomoea I. aquatica CP,FP.RC 04 Poales Poaceae Leersia L. hexandra CP,FP.RC Cyperaceae Cyperus C. rotundus RC 05 Asterales Asteraceae Enhydra E. fluctuans CP,FP,RC Mikania M. cordata CP,FP.RC Xanthium X. indicum RC Menyanthaceae Nymphoides N. aquatica CP,FP,RC 06 Nymphaeales Nymphaeaceae Nymphaea N. nouchali FP,RC 07 Lamiales Lentibulariaceae Utricularia U. inflate FP 08 Caryophyllales Amaranthaceae Alternanthera A CP,FP,RC

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.philoxeroides Polygonaceae Polygonum P. coccineum CP,FP,RC 09 Equisetales Equisetaceae Equisetum E. hyemale CP,FP 10 Myrtales Onagraceae Ludwigia L. palustris FP 11 Salviniales Marsileaceae Marsilea M. quadrifolia FP 12 Fabales Fabaceae Aeschynomene A. aspera FP **CP= Cultured Ponds; FP= Floodplains; RC= Roadside Canal

Table 5: Number of Order, Family, Genus, and Species in different habitat type

Habitat Type No. of Order No. of Family No. of Genus No. of Species Culture Pond 7 9 11 11 Floodplains 12 15 19 20 Roadside Canal 6 9 12 12

Table 6: Different water quality parameters

Parameters Culture Pond (CP) Floodplains (FP) Roadside canals(RC) DO mg/l 5.25±0.25 4.6±0.3 4.75±0.25 pH 7.5±0.3 8±0.17 8.5±0.2 Salinity (ppt) 0 0 0 Temperature (0 C) 29±0.25 30±0.30 30±0.30 Transparency(cm) 30±0.12 40±0.25 40±0.25

Species variation in different water The highest aquatic weed percentage was bodies: Aquatic weed density was found observed in two floodplains and lowest variable among the two culture ponds, two density was found in roadside canals and non- culture ponds and two roadside ponds. culture ponds respectively (Fig. 2).

Roadside Culture Canal Ponds Culture Pond 28% 26% Floodplains Floodplains Roadside Canal 46%

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Fig. 2: Percentage of species in different water bodies (two cultural ponds, two floodplains and two roadside canals)

Comparison of aquatic weed in different found. Highest amount of species variation water bodies: Among the two culture found in the floodplains. On the other hand, ponds, two floodplains and two roadside culture ponds and roadside canals showed canals different types of aquatic weed were the lowest number of species (Fig. 3).

15 Culture Pond

No of No species 10 Floodplains

5 Roadside Canal 0 Culture Pond Floodplains Roadside Canal

Habitat type

Fig. 3: Comparison of aquatic weeds in different water bodies

Water quality parameters observed in the ponds than other floodplains and roadside different water bodies: The water quality canals (Fig. 4). In culture ponds there was parameters of the studied culture ponds requirement of aeration because sometimes were found within the suitable range and there is a complete decline of dissolved therefore the water quality is good for fish oxygen, leading to the deaths of a great production (Table 6). number of fish. Concentration of DO in successive water bodies: DO levels were high in culture

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CP 5.25 FP

ppm 4.6 4.75 RC

CP FP RC Habitat Type Fig. 4: DO concentration in different water bodies DISCUSSION recorded the total angiosperm weed species Many aquatic weeds are desirable since under 123 genera and 50 families were they may play temporarily a beneficial role in recorded in this study. Out of the total reducing agricultural, domestic and industrial number of species 98 were frequent, 41 pollution. There is no information on were abundant, 15 were rare and 1 was very nationwide survey of aquatic weed diversity rare species. Eight species were only found in floodplain – Lemna minor, Marsilea in Bangladesh; however that study did not quadrifolia, Ludwigia palustris, focused on species. No systematic attempt Aeschynomene aspera, Najas graminea, to know the weed diversity status in Hydrilla verticillata, Najas guadalupensis, Bangladesh is on-going. If a nationwide Utricularia inflata. This species are easily survey is carried out, it will reveal the real adapted in large areas. On the other hands, picture on the diversity of weed species and the trend in Bangladesh. No endemic plants two species were common in culture ponds and floodplain- Pistia stratiotes and may also develop large uncontrollable Equisetum hyemale. Cyperus rotundus and populations when intentionally or Xanthium indicum were the two species accidentally introduced in areas where there are no natural enemies to check their which only found in roadside canals. growth. A total of 22 species of 16 families, Chowdhury and Ahmed (2012) included a 12 orders and 21 genuses were found. total of 29 genera belonging to 24 families of Among them some was highly dominated aquatic macrophytes were recorded. and some are only found in single selected Regarding this study, Culture ponds had the site. During this study period, nine species- lowest number of species because of proper Eichhornia crassipes, Ipomaea aquatica, maintenance through farm owner. Nymphiodes aquatica, Enhydra fluctuans, Sathyanathan and Jayam (2012) recorded Leersia hexandra, Mikania cordata, the major aquatic weeds found in Kerala Salvinia spp Eichhornia crassipes Colocasia esculenta, Polygonum include ., , Pistia stratiotes Alternanthera spp. Azolla coccineum, Alternanthere philoxeroydis , , , common duckweed, and Hydrilla verticillata. were common in culture ponds, floodplain and roadside canals. But their abundance is Reduction or elimination of aquatic weeds is significantly different. Rahman (2013) possible through well planned management

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strategies which includes preventive and Borobila beel in Rangpur district. Eloff and control (biological, physical, chemical, eco- Vander (1981) reported that temperature physiological) measures. Weeds species 270C to 290C in fish culture pond at pH make loss of water through value 6.5 to 10.5. DO levels were stable at evapotranspiration in addition to obstruction ranged from 5.25 ppm in culture ponds and caused in flow of water. Most of these 4.6 ppm was recorded in two experimental weeds are found in shallow and medium floodplains, 4.75 in roadside canals deep water bodies and continuous flowing respectively. This difference may arise due canals and drainage ditches. to the using of aerator in the culture ponds About 20 Species were identified from and decomposition in floodplains and Floodplain area. Floodplain which was roadside canals. According to this study, shallow in depth and was also could not transparency was 28-32 cm in culture highly maintain and which was rich with ponds, 36-44 cm in floodplains, and 38-42 household and other organic wastes. cm in roadside canals. But this wide range Decomposition accelerates and weeds can of variation in pond due to the using only take their nutrients and finally increased in hormonal feed and not using other feed and number. Floodplains was important sources fertilizer. During this study there was no of aquatic weeds, they sustain a range of salinity found in the study area, which aquatic weed throughout the year, served as hampers the growth of aquatic weeds. High refuges for fish and weed during dry season. levels of salinity in wastewater can limit the Water-hyacinth, Duckweeds, Azolla and growth of water hyacinth and other aquatic Algae are commonly grown in flooded rice macrophytes (Sooknah and Wilkie, 2004). Chowdhury et al., (2012) showed that the fields, ponds, canals, road side ditches and other water reserves. Mohammed et al., physicochemical conditions of both the (2009) detected eight aquatic plants have habitats indicate that very poor number of been incriminated as weeds. From the macrophytes can grow in the shrimp culture current study, the most prevalent of these ponds due to high salinity of water and soil. weeds are water hyacinth and cattail plants. Ried (1979) reported that the transparency Aquatic weeds cause taste and odor of water depends on several factors such as problems and also increase biological silting, plankton density, suspended organic oxygen demand because of organic loading. matter, latitude, season and the angle and They increase the organic matter content of intensity of incident light. water which affects the strength of the CONCLUSION concrete structures when used as curing Macrophytes are an important component of and mixing water. Water temperature is a the aquatic ecosystem and broad changes pre-requisite for increasing the weed in the abundance of individual species and density. Temperature and pH value was 0 community composition provide valuable recorded 29.0-30.0 C and 7.5-7.8 in cultured information on how and why an ecosystem ponds, 28.0-320C and 7.9-8.2 in floodplains, 0 might be changing. Macrophytes are also 29.0-31 C and 8.3-8.7 in roadside canals becoming increasingly valued as a means of respectively. Chowdhury et al., (2007) indirectly monitoring water quality as, for recorded the temperature yearly ranged 0 0 instance, eutrophication can produce a from 18.5 C in December to 33.72 C in progressive change in species composition August and pH value is 7.12-8.68 at and a loss of species diversity. Aquatic

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