Eichhornia crassipes plant named `Johann Schoofs Sen`

Abstract

A new Eichhornia crassipes plant named ‘Johann schoofs Sen’ is provided which is well suited to serve as a biomass renewable energy source. The plant is particularly well suited to metabolize carbon dioxide from emissions. A free-floating small compact mat-like growth habit is displayed with an intertwined root ball. A typical leaf petiole is absent, and the roots are finely structured. The leaves are dark green in coloration, and the plant survives well under low-light conditions. The plant generates itself from new shoots and commonly can double its biomass in approximately 10 to 14 days.

Description

[0001]Botanical / commercial classification: Eichhornia crassipes / Water Hyacinth cv. Johann Schoofs Sen.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Common Water Hyacinth (i.e., Eichhornia crassipes) is recognized to be a free-floating perennial aquatic plant that is native to tropical and sub-tropical South America. The plant has been naturalized in most of the southern United States. Feathery, long freely hanging roots commonly are displayed. The plant reproduces primarily by way of runners or stolons which form daughter plants. In recent years, interest has focused on the use of plants for possible renewable energy source, as well as for industrial utilization. Eichhornia crassipes plants have been included in this interest.[0003]Such Eichhornia crassipes plants are generally adapted to produce carbohydrates through the mixotropic conversion of carbon dioxide while deriving nourishment via both autotropic and heterotropic mechanisms. For instance, organic matter (even contamination and waste) ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The propensity for the new plant to grow and to increase in mass is particularly noteworthy. The small compact growth habit enables the presence of a large number of individual plants in a given production area. As the plants spontaneously asexually reproduce at a high growth rate, the resulting mass is rapidly enlarged. The plant commonly is capable of doubling its mass in approximately 10 to 14 days. The finely structured root structure enables the efficient absorption of nutrients. Such efficiency is evidenced by a strong green

Problems solved by technology

The number of surviving plants was drastically reduced and repro

Images