There is incomplete knowledge about the bio-control approach recommended for managing Parthenium.The reality is as follows:
1.The botanical agents recommended for managing parthenium are many. Not one. So at least a dozen plants are found effective.
2.Cassia sericia will not work every where.The agents and combination of agents are different for different situations.
3. Yes. cassia species and all botanical agents suggested and going to be identified in future are all weeds only! The waste lands cannot be left devoid of vegetation. There must be cover of some vegetation. Other wise all soil will be eroded! So, it was even earlier weed and will be weed.
4. These days, with advancement of science, the weeds are being used for economic purposes. Jatropa was a weed. Opuntia is weed and now edible varities are evolved and being sold in vegetable markets in Mexico and US. . Castor is a weed as well as cultivated plant even in India..
5.In fact seed of all cassia species have some economic importance like- seeds for gum production. leaves as green manure. dry stems as fuel, tender leaves as leafy vegetable etc
6. I am a resident of Bangalore. We have conducted a survey. The botanical agents found more effective in and around Bangalore are Heptis, Amaranthus, Sida etc and physical suppressors like Ipomoea, Castor etc. So there is nothing to worry. more over all these are there in the natural course. they were never imported deliberately! Further they will be replaced in the course of natural succession. They are replaceable unlike parthenium which is recalcitrant species AND REMAINED FOR LONGER DEFYING NATURAL COURSE OF SUCCESSION
Only their growth was promoted for realising the benefit of getting relief from parthenium problem.
What is to be underlined is"TO HAVE HARMLESS WEEDS INSTEAD OF HARMFUL WEEDS"
Much more can be said about such scientifically acceptable POINTS IN FAVOUR OF ECO-FRIENDLY INTEGRATED PARTHENIUM MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY(IPWMT), which, as proved in Karnataka state has helped to provide a better environment than in other parthenium infested places.
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Dr. M. Mahadevappa Director, JSS Rural Dev. Foundation. Mysore - 570 004
Ex-Chairman, ASRB, Ex-Vice Chancellor UAS, Dharwad # 1576, 1st Cross, Chandra Layout Bangalore - 560 040 , Karnataka, INDIA
Phone: (080) 23216040 Email: mahadevrice@... --- On Tue, 22/9/09, pankajoudhia <pankajoudhia@...> wrote:
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