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)
