The Status of Parthenium Hysterophorus and its Potential Management

Abstract

P.rlhenium hysterophotus L. (RaEwccd padhenium) is an ag8rossive herbaccolswccd oftropical and subtropical habitats. Tl'is species is nati\'c to Gulf of Mexico a d cetrtfal South Arnerica and has b€come widesprcad in Nonh America, South America, the Caribbean and many parts ofAftica, Asia and Australia. Ragweed panhcnium is crrrrently identified as an invasive species in several countri€s, includins lndia andNelal. Parthenium is primariLy found in th€ wastelands, vacant ar€as, community parks, roadsides and even invades agricultural ficlds. lt is a major wccd in cfop and pastlfc arcas in lndia and Alstralia. Tlis weed species threatens huhan and uDimal health by causing lllergic contact dermatitjs, hay fever, and respiratory problems in seflsitive fiumans and lnimals. Padhonium adverselyAffects crop production, animalhusbandry andfilnun health. This species is known to have several allclochcmicals that may have ecolosicsl implications on spccies diaersity in various habitats. Limii€d conlrolpractices are availablc for managing thh species in various environments. Although it is a problem w€ed in AuskElia, India, Nepal and other Asian subcontin€nts, it may becom€ more proninent jn otherpans ofihc world in the near future, Clobal strategies in relation to identification, carly dctcciion, spread and management must bo dcvcloped lor its tuture invasion.

Allelopathic Effect of Parthenium hysterophorus on Germination and Growth of Some Important Crops and Weeds of Economic Importance

“…The compound is biosynthesized during the entire life cycle of the plant, reaching maximum values during generative stages (Reinhardt et al, 2006). It is sequestered in capitate-sessile trichomes on leaves, stems, and the achene-complex of P. hysterophorus (Adkins and Sowerby, 1996;Bhowmik and Sarkar, 2005). Parthenin is released from plant material by being washed from ruptured trichomes or from decomposing tissues and it may contribute to the interference of plants with surrounding neighbors.…”

Carrot-Weed: A Noxious Plant That Threatens Biodiversity in Africa

“…Once the weed dominates an area becomes aggressive, destructive and oppressive to other plant species [20] [24] [25]. The weed spreads very fast due to its ability to produce a greater amount of seeds up to 25,000 seeds/plant which results into a significant amount of seed bank in the soil [23].…”

“…The laboratory experiment and field studies by [43] shows that all plant parts of the carrot weed (shoot, root, inflorescence, and seed) are toxic to other plants. This brings changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil such as soil pH, soil organic matter, phosphorus, and others [49]. Although numerous information exists on the effects of this noxious weed, still there is lack of information on how it affects and induces changes to soil pH and structure.…”

“…Carrot weed is known to compete with indigenous grasses and herbaceous plants used for grazing worldwide [18] thereby, reducing forage productivity by 90%. Furthermore, carrot weed is heavy feeder plant utilizing most of the soil nutrients which ultimately leads to soil infertility, hence resulting to poor crop and animal health [19] [20] [21]. In human, carrot weed has been reported to cause health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, dermatitis and hay fever once it comes into contact with the body [14].…”

Preventing a new invasive alien plant from entering and spreading in the Euro‐Mediterranean region: the case study of Parthenium hysterophorus

“… Infested pasture seed (grass) from Texas into central Queensland (Everist, ), as well as in Egypt from Texas in the 1960s (Boulos & El‐Hadidi, ); Infested cereal seed from the USA in Africa, Asia and Oceania (Bhomik & Sarkar, ); Infested tomato seed in Northern Territory in Australia (Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts & Sport, Government of Northern Territory, ). Infested onion seed from India to Sri Lanka (Jayasuriya, ); Infested soybean seed from the USA in the Shandong Province in China in 2004 (Li & Gao, ). …”