DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2020.v07i11.001

Pages: 231-239

Euryale ferox Salisb. (makhana / gorgon nut) is an important annual wetland floating leaf angiospermic macrophyte which grows naturally in wild forms in aquatic bodies. It is also cultivated in ponds, low land stagnant water, fields etc. This plant is especially cultivated in northern Bihar, West Bengal, Manipur and MP for its seeds. Roasted / popped seeds of makhana (puffs) are tasty, light, crispy, fatless, aphrodisiac, spermatogenic and with high carbohydrate, protein and mineral contents. Therefore, makhana puffs have especially become a delicacy in the diet of riches and are in high demand in western and gulf countries.Bihar is the largest producer (90%) of makhana in India and the world too. In north Bihar, Katihar district is known for its fine network of Himalayas’ emanating rivers as well as a large number of other natural and man- made aquifers.Euryale ferox (makhana) is the most common aquatic macrophyte grown as cash crop in the non-calcareous belts of Koshi and Mahananda rivers of Katihar. In the initial stage of growth of makhana crop its water bodies are heavily infested with aquaphyte weeds. Hence, a periodic manual, herbal or chemical weeding of aquatic bodies in early stages is essential for the establishment of makhana seedlings. In the present study, altogether 35 macrophyte species belonging to 33 genera of angiosperms and pteridophytes were recorded from makhana crop fields. The imortant macrophytic weeds were Eichhornia crassipes, Monocharia hastata, Ceratophyllum demursum, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea nauchali etc. were recorded in the present investigation. These aquatic macrophytes pose a great threat to the growth of makhana and considerably reduce the crop yield. These aquaphytic weeds also show detrimental allelopathic effects on the cultivation of makhana. However, makhana has the great potentiality as a solution for poverty alleviation and livelihood security especially for economically poor rural people who thrive in wetland areas.