Variations in chemical nutrients and mineral concentrations of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Mart. Solms- Labauch)

Abstract

Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate changes in chemical nutrients and mineral concentrations of water hyacinth as influenced by the season of harvest, habitat and morphological parts of the plants. Proximate composition (DM, CP, CF, EE and ash), fiber fractions (NDF, ADF and ADL) and concentrations of minerals (Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Pb) in water hyacinth harvested from canal, lagoon, river and dam at the early and late period of wet and dry seasons were determined. Results showed that CP, EE and ash contents of water hyacinth harvested from the different water bodies differ (P < 0.05). Dry matter and CP values ranged from 7.68 to 7.96 and 10.32 to 10.40 g/100g DM in water hyacinth from river and dam respectively. Effects of the season on the chemical nutrient composition of water hyacinth were not significant (P> 0.05) except for DM that was highest (8.22) in the late dry season. Water hyacinth harvested from the different water bodies contains relatively high levels of minerals that vary (P<0.05) with the season of harvest. The high CP and mineral concentrations of water hyacinth suggests that the plant can be used as fodder for ruminant livestock production.