Managing Parthenium Weed Across Diverse Landscapes: Prospects and Limitations

Biology, ecology and management of the invasive parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.)

“…Only four countries (Australia, South Africa, India, Tanzania and Sri Lanka) so far have released biological control agents against parthenium weed. A further two countries (Ethiopia and Vanuatu) are in the process of releasing biological control agents, and others (Kenya, Pakistan, Nepal, China, Ethiopia) have agents that have accidentally arrived there (Table ) …”

“…The initial surveys for potential natural enemies of parthenium weed started in 1975 in Central and South America, and, to date, 11 biological control agents (nine insect species and two rust fungi) have been released into the field (Table ). Several of these released agents are now known to have established in the field, but only three agents, Epiblema strenuana Walker (a stem‐galling moth), Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (a leaf‐feeding beetle) and Listronotus setosipennis Hustache (a stem‐boring weevil) appear to be having a significant impact upon weed in the field …”

“…A further two countries (Ethiopia and Vanuatu) are in the process of releasing biological control agents, and others (Kenya, Pakistan, Nepal, China, Ethiopia) have agents that have accidentally arrived there (Table 3). 65 Biological control is the most widely used management tool for parthenium weed in Australia where this strategy has been investigated for more than 20 years and was recently reviewed. 77 The initial surveys for potential natural enemies of parthenium weed started in 1975 in Central and South America, and, to date, 11 biological control agents (nine insect species and two rust fungi) have been released into the field ( Table 3).…”

Competitiveness of Selected Pasture Plant Species with Parthenium Weed (<i>Parthenium hysterophorus</i> L.)

“…Parthenium weed have originated in tropical and/or subtropical America and spread accidentally in many countries like Australia, India, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Vietnam and China where it become problematic within rangelands and cropping areas [5]. The weed introduced into Ethiopia through provision of humanitarian emergency food aid from the USA in the late 1970s and now has spread to all regions of the country [6].…”

PM 9/20 (1) Parthenium hysterophorus

“…The species is also a threat in several nature reserves (e.g. in Australia, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Zimbabwe, see Dhileepan, ). Because the plant contains sesquiterpenes and phenolics, it is toxic to cattle (Navie et al ., ).…”