BAU turns invasive pond weed into organic manure, revives campus ponds

Ranchi: In a waste-to-wealth initiative, the Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) is converting an invasive aquatic weed into nutrient-rich organic manure to support its campus farms, while simultaneously rejuvenating three ponds spread across 10 acres that did not undergo major clearance for at least six years.

The restoration of ponds, costing around Rs 14 lakh, is aimed at improving water retention, supporting groundwater recharge, besides reviving irrigation and campus fisheries, the BAU said.

BAU vice-chancellor SC Dubey said, “The dry matter of ‘salvinia molesta’ contains around 75% to 85% organic matter and a dense concentration of essential plant nutrients, making it an excellent candidate for agricultural recycling.”

“The weed contains protein, carbohydrates, fibre, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which aid plant growth. Fresh salvinia molesta is 90% to 95% water and can decompose within two to three days, enabling rapid conversion into manure,” he added.

The BAU vice-chancellor stated that the pond rejuvenation drive targets severe ecological decline caused by the infestation. The fern forms a thick mat that blocks sunlight and oxygen, sharply reducing dissolved oxygen and harming native fish and aquatic plants. The pond system was also affected by heavy silt accumulation and a shrinking water spread area.

The eight-acre pond, the largest on the campus, has been cleared of around 300 trolleys of ‘salvinia molesta’. “Only the big pond has the salvinia infestation. This may mean that it reached here along with the seed of some other plant,” Dr Dubey said.

Work continues on the remaining ponds. “One small pond has also been cleared, and work is ongoing for the cleaning of the third pond. These ponds have a high infestation of water hyacinth. We are removing them as well and will also process it to make organic manure,” the vice-chancellor said.