OUAT warns of presence of harmful foreign weeds in Orissa

Sunday, March 01, 2009
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Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of
Research, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has
warned the people about the presence of foreign weeds in the State.
OUAT says the foreign weeds have found their way into Orissa and are
dangerous both to animals and humans.
Senior Agronomist of Weed Control Project of OUAT Sudhansu Sekher
Mishra said five noxious alien invasive weeds such as Giant Rag weed,
Spiny Burr Grass, Hounds Tongue, Horse Nettle and European Field Pancy
have found their way to the country through import of 6.2 million
tonne of wheat from other countries like Australia, Russia, Canada,
Hungary, Argentina and France during 2006-07. “The wheat came to
Orissa through the Public Distribution System and was distributed in
all parts of the State,” he said, adding that along with the wheat
seeds of the foreign grass had made inroads into the villages of the
State.
Mishra also announced that if anyone gives information about the
presence of the five foreign weeds, Rs 1,000 would be given as reward.
People can give information on the mobile number 9338061870. He said
we have already located the seeds in Sambalpur and sent it a
laboratory in Jabalpur.
Describing these foreign weeds as poisonous, Mishra said these weeds
were responsible for reducing crop production, causing skin disease,
cancer, liver damage, dermatitis and eye diseases both in humans and
animals. Besides reducing crop yield, they are a potential threat to
plant diversity. These weeds grow in grain and vegetable field,
orchards, pastures, nurseries, on road side, waste land, river bank
and gardens.
In order to stop the spread of the of disease, OUAT has taken up a
special project in 12 districts namely Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh,
Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Boudh,
Kandhamal and Sonepur. “In the second phase another nine districts
will be taken up for surveillance,” he said, adding that the project
would continue for two years. “We have intensified our surveillance to
find out the seeds,” Mishra added.
He further said many noxious weeds like Parathenium hysterophorus,
Lantana Camara, Water hyacinth, Mikania micrantha, Mimosa pudica,
Ipomea Carnea which were earlier introduced from abroad in earlier
days, were now causing serious problem to the environment, human
beings, livestock and were also responsible for reduction in crop
yield. Senior scientists SK Mohanty, Bibhuti Bhusan Dalei and KN
Mishra were present at the Press conference.

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