Weed wreaks havoc

Statesman News Service
SRINIKETAN, Oct. 5: A common weed has posed a serious threat to
bio-diversity because of its poisonous effect on human beings,
livestock and native plants.
Due to rapid growth of parthenium hysterophorus L (the poisonous weed)
throughout India since 1955, it now covers more than 35 hectares,
replacing native plant. It has become a great source of various
diseases including dermatitis, asthma, and nasal-dermal. The
Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati organised a week-long
programme at Sriniketan Campus in order to create awareness among the
common people. Dr B Duary, principal investigator of All India
Coordinated Research Programme on Weed Control, said parthenium,
locally called a carrot weed, has now became a national problem. All
efforts are required to get rid of this green cancer. “After
‘parthenium awareness week’ was observed at the national level, the
Agriculture Department of Visva-Bharati arranged so it involved all
levels of people including government agencies, school and college
students and common people to eradicate the national pollutant,” Mr
Duary said.
“This plant has a tremendous capacity to produce numerous seeds
(5,000-25,000 per plant), which are easily transported by wind and
water. Since these seeds have no dormancy the plant completes its
life-circle thrice a year, posing a threat to bio-diversity. Its
pollen can float, which causes respiratory diseases and the young
plant contains trichomes or hair, which also causes dermatitis and
skin ulcers for animals through direct contact,” Mr Duary said.
This weed originated in foreign countries like Mexico, US, Trinidad
and Argentina, after entering in India it has spread rapidly in the
wasteland. “This weed is seen mainly on both sides of the railway
tracks, drains, hospital surroundings and other places so government
agencies like Railway authorities, PWD, municipalities and panchayat
officials need to be cautious ,” Mr Duary said.
Teachers delivered lectures on parthenium. “Insects like Mexican
beetle were released as the bio-control agents because these insects
can completely defoliate the parthenium. As a part of the programme we
uprooted the parthenium from our campus and used that for compost and
vermicompost,” Mr Prasun Kanti Ghosh and Mr Joydev Fulmali, department
research students said.

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