Effects and Management of Parthenium Weed

Parthenium hysterophorus a noxious plant,inhabits many parts of the world in addition to its native range in North and South America and the West Indies.This noxious invasive weed is considered to be one of the world worst weeds currently known .

- DR BANARSI LAL

Tt is also called as gajar ghas, ragweed, white cap or top, gajari, chatak candani, nakshtra gida, safed topi ete. It is most commonly called as 'gajar ghas' as it appears like carrot plant. It is herbaceous, an annual plant belonging to subfamily Heliantheae and family Asteraceae (Compositae):This weed has attained the status of "Worst Weed" It is a deadly weed infesting cropped and non-cropped areas. It has been observed that its infestation causes yield losses up to 40 per cent in several crops and reduces forage production up tp 90 per cent. It is an agares-sive annual herbaceous plant which has been widely dispersed in both the tropical and sub-tropical areas. This weed rapidly covers the new surroundings and poses a serious threat: to our environ ment and biodiversity. This weed has been rapidly spreading from the last two decades. Parthenium weed has been categorised as "Cosmopolitan weed", "National culprit" and "National health hazard" due to its serious environmental threats, Earlier it was considered as a weed of wasteland but now it has invaded almost every crop. Initially it was considered a problem in the crops of rain fed areas only but with the inerease in irrigation facility, it germinates throughout the season. Parthenium causes inhibition of nodulation in legumes. Pulses have little impact in terms of smothering effect on parthenium as the crops are slow growing and short statured in nature.