PM Observes Biocontrol of Water Hyacinth

BANGKOK, Jan 9 (TNA) – Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha took a field trip to Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district, observing the use of the fungal plant pathogen Myrothecium roridum to control growth of the water hyacinth. Gen. Prayut was briefed about the biocontrol of the aggressive hyacinth at Lam Ao Ton canal. The environmentally-friendly method is applied to replace the costly use of machines to remove the weed or chemical herbicides. The plant pathogenic fungus infects water hyacinth but will not affect other plants. The prime minister saw the demonstration of spraying it onto the weed. Water hyacinth in the canal has stopped growing after the fungus spray on Jan 4 and the plant will decay in two months. The biocontrol of the weed, that obstructs waterways was tested in Bangkok’ five areas earlier. Hyacinth was successful eradicated in a canal in Klong Sam Wa district. (TNA)