Water quality parameters contributing to the invasion of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the Anawilundawa reservoir in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Eichhornia crassipes has been found to invade the Anawilundawa reservoir located within Ramsar wetland in the northwestern region of Sri Lanka. Present study was carried out to determine the water quality parameters that could contribute to its invasion and identify an effective control measure. During the study period of March-November 2017, mean values for Secchi depth, water depth and nitrate content in areas where E. crassipes was present (7.9 cm, 12.4 cm and 475 µg L-1 respectively) were found to be significantly lower (p