Town lays carpet of killer weed
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Sonitpur
A parthenium plant

Feb. 6: A weed that causes respiratory distress in humans and
livestock has spread to nearly 80 per cent of Tezpur town, but the
municipal authorities remain blissfully unaware of the health hazard.

Parthenium, or parthenium hysterophorus, is one of the deadlier weeds
around and was actually "imported" by India along with the PL 480
Mexican wheat seeds in 1956. It has since become an uncontrollable
menace, spreading rapidly in parks, residential colonies with an
abundance of shrubbery and rail tracks. The monster weed is known to
cause skin allergies, hay fever and asthma in human beings and is
toxic to livestock. Left to spread, it also squeezes grasslands,
reducing the supply of natural fodder for cattle.

Parthenium was spotted for the first time in Tezpur nearly 21 years
ago. What was then just a patch near Dekargoan railway station has
since become a blanket of weeds covering almost the entire town.

The Tezpur Municipal Board may be focused on turning the town into a
tourist desitination, but has yet to do anything about the weed
menace. "If the spread of this weed remains unchecked, residents of
the town will be in serious danger," a botanist based in the central
Assam town said.

Some NGOs have, however, woken up to the menace and chalked out plans
with the support of residents to rid the town of parthenium growth.
Volunteers have already uprooted parthenium weeds from the campuses of
Darrang College, Tezpur College and the Dak Bungalow.

"Just because the administration has not taken any step, we cannot be
idle as well. The health of an entire town is at stake," a member of
one of the NGOs said.

Parthenium belongs to the Asteraceae family and is locally known as
pandhari, Congress grass or carrot weed. One of the ways to control
the weed is to go for uprooting before it flowers. In 2005, the
National Research Centre for Weed Science, which operates under the
Indian Council for Agriculture Research, began a campaign for
biological control of parthenium through beetles imported from Mexico.

Mexican beetles (zygogramma bicolorata) are considered a safe
biocontrol agent. The larvae feeds on parthenium leaves for 10 to 15
days, enters the soil on maturing and pupates. The beetles emerge
after a maximum of 12 days and complete their life cycle in a range of
27 to 32 days.

Since both adults and larvae feed on parthenium, they check plant
growth and flowering. Adults defoliate the plant.

Immature flowers are cut by the beetles to chew on the soft tissues
beneath the flowers. Completely defoliated plants wilt in no time.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080207/jsp/northeast/story_8868016.jsp

Asthma Round Up: Is Prevention Still The Cure?
EmPower Research

By EmPower Research
February 04, 2008
By Sangeeta G. Dastidar

From Bangalore in southern India to Kaziranga in the east and westward
too, asthma as a "living" ailment is definitely worth worrying than
the "breathless cough" it triggers. Asthma by "prevention" and not
mere medical symptomatic cure is the new health buzz. So the question
here is whether the cause of the illness can be blamed only on dust,
mites, pollens, and allergens alike? Yes and more.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/51283

Farmers warned to watch out for weeds

16.01.2008
By Peter Foley

IT'S a typical farming predicament  rain ends the terrible dry spell
but opens the door to grass-choking weeds.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) says south-east Queensland
landholders needed to look out for weeds that have germinated since
recent rain.

Weeds including parthenium and giant rats tail grass were reported to
be germinating in areas where they had been previously controlled, DPI
principal land protection officer Clyde McGaw said.

"What is worrying is that parthenium and giant rats tail grass could
appear in areas where they have not been seen before, especially if
fodder or grain has been brought on to the property," Mr McGaw said.



"Horse owners affected by the equine influenza (EI) emergency who are
hand-feeding animals should be extra wary and check paddocks for these
weeds."

It was important to check all areas, particularly weak pastures with
sparse ground cover, and to respray with weedicide.

Otherwise, those weeds would smother pastures and invade roadsides and
natural and recreational areas, he said.

Normally germinating in spring and early summer, parthenium could also
produce serious allergic reactions.

Haigslea farmer Malcolm Sprenger said this year was the first time he
had seen some weeds appear in his area.

"Ragweed hasnt been around for 10 years because the conditions
havent been right for that long," Mr Sprenger said.

"There's paddocks totally covered with it. I've never seen it as bad."

He said he was even more concerned a weed he had yet to identify could
spread over the Ipswich district.

http://www.qt.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3760996&thesection=local\
news&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

NTEL SCIENCE TALENT PRIZE FOR MANDYA GIRL

Mysore, Jan. 3- H.G. Lavanya, 16-year-old class XI student of Jawahar
Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Mandya, is one of the eight national prize
winners at the recently held IRIS 2007 National Science Fair at the
University of Pune from Dec. 5 to 8.

Her project "Natural colour from Ixora flowers" bagged top honours in
the individual category against stiff competition from schools all
over India. She was grilled by 16 judges before emerging triumphant.

All the winners will now attend a coaching camp in Mumbai in January
2008, after which 6 lucky ones will represent India in the Intel
International Science Fair 2008, to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
in May 2008.

Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS) National
Fair, the biggest science fair in the country, is organised by Intel
India with support from the Department of Science and Technology and
Confederation of Indian Industry(CII).

"There is a dire need for nature colours; especially in the field of
food and fabric," says Lavanya, who had been experimenting with Ixora
flowers for the last six months.

Although everyone at the JNV Mandya passes by the big Ixora bush that
is right in front of the school, Lavanya had observed that there is a
year round bloom of red flowers on the plant. She tried to learn more
about the plant and found that it is mostly used for religious purpose
and is hardly used for anything else.

Lavanya sought the help of her Biology teacher, K. Remani and the duo
did some crude experiments. The results of the paper chromatography
and the colouring effect of the aqueous extract in food and fabric
persuaded them to go for a detailed study and more experiments.

Mounds of flowers were plucked, but only the red coloured petals were
used for experiments. Soaking, chopping, grinding and squeeze pressing
became the order of the day. All the experiments were done under
supervision and the records were meticulously kept. The findings were
initially presented at the cluster, regional and national level
competitions of JNV before going for the IRIS National Fair.

The scientists in the reviewing and judging committee included eminent
personalities.

"The fair at Pune was a tough one," recalls Lavanya. "The judges asked
many questions and wanted to know every little details about my work.
Fortunately the documentations done convinced them. When they called
my name as the last recipient, I was ecstatic. Receiving the prize
from Praveen Vishakantaiah, President of Intel India Technology, is
one of the best moments in my life. I am totally indebted to my
teachers, staff and students of my school."

The Principal of JNV Chandrashekharan says, "We are very happy about
this national achievement. Credit for this project should be given to
Remani, our PGT Biology teacher, who has guided this project. It is
the second time that under her guidance that a project from JNV has
got the national selection at IRIS. Her earlier project, "Parthenium
as a friendly plant" had participated in the Intel Science Fair in USA
in 2005.

 
http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:u4VwTT3BrLgJ:www.starofmysore.com/main.asp%\
3Ftype%3Dspecialnews%26item%3D2887+INTEL+SCIENCE+TALENT+PRIZE+FOR+MANDYA+GIRL&hl\
=en&ct=clnk&cd=1

Parthenium hysterophorus induced changes in neurotransmitter levels in
mouse brain
Sabita Verma 1, Renu Shrivastava 2, P. K. Prasad 3, Vinoy K.
Shrivastava 2 *
1Department of Botany, J.M.D.P.L., Mahila College, Madhubani 847211,
Bihar, India
2Endocrinology Unit, Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah
University, Bhopal 462 026, M.P., India
3V.S.J. College, Rajnagar, Madhubani, Bihar, India
email: Vinoy K. Shrivastava (vinoyks2001@...)

*Correspondence to Vinoy K. Shrivastava, Endocrinology Unit,
Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462 026,
M.P., India.

Keywords
Parthenium hysterophorus � total brain � 5-hydroxytryptamine �
noradrenaline � dopamine

Abstract
Parthenium hysterophorus (10 mg/0.1 ml/kg body weight) was
administered daily to 20 adult male mice and levels of
5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline and dopamine in total brain were
quantified on days 31 and 61 after administration. All
neurotransmitter levels were decreased significantly, with the effects
more prominent in the later part of the experiment. The results
suggest that Parthenium hysterophorus interferes in the functioning of
the hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis by impairing the biogenic amine
levels which may in turn affect the physiology of the peripheral
endocrine glands. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/113466303/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&\
SRETRY=0

Sir,

   I have uploaded some real life photographs on the Parthenium weed under the album title Parthenium. I request all the members to see this.

Regards,

Sujit

Sir,

  Kindly send me the procedure how to upload some photographs to IPRNG group so that all the members can be able to see some interesting pictures on the Parthenium weed.

Thanking You,

Yours Faithfully,

Sujit Kumar Kar.

For more information on Parthenium you can visit to library of Orissa
Agriculture University. However, I suggest you to first complete your
studies and if interested go for higher research studies in
Agriculture particularly in weed science. It is very important time of
your life. Take help of your parents, if possible, in promoting your
product and you must focus on studies.

Pankaj Oudhia

--- In IPRNG@..., "Sujit Kumar Kar"
<sujitkumar_kunu@...> wrote:
>
> Sir,
>    Kindly send me some more information on the Parthenium weed as I have
> already conducted and I am also conducting research on the Parthenium
> weed. As a member of IPRNG, I have downloaded all the details on
> Parthenium weed which exists on the IPRNG Group. So, kindly send me some
> other data on the Parthenium by which I can draw the attention of my
> state authorities on this so as to create some awareness campaigns among
> the farmers so that they can stop the multiplication of the Parthenium
> weed which can be of a great help to me.
> Thanking You,
> Yours Faithfully,
> Sujit Kumar Kar.
>

Dear Sujit,

     Thats very good news. Let us know what else help or guidance you
are requiring from our side, as you have mentioned that you are
already negotiating with companies.

Pankaj Oudhia

--- In IPRNG@..., "Sujit Kumar Kar"
<sujitkumar_kunu@...> wrote:
>
> Good Evening Everybody.          I have prepared a project on the
> Elimination Of Parthenium which deals with the elimination of
> Parthenium. As known that Parthenium Hysterphours is an obnoxious weed
> and it needs to be eliminated, I came to know about this Parthenium weed
> during my Sixth class when the First Parthenium Awareness week was
> celebrated by Orissa University Of Agriculture And Technology. Then, I
> came to know about the obnoxious weed and searched the internet to get
> more information about it. Then from the website of IPRNG and other
> websites, I came to know about the Parthenium and its potential danger.
> After that, I started my research on the Parthenium weed. Then, I
> prepared a chemical which I have named as PARKIL and then conducted
> research on it. Then, I sprayed this PARKIL solution on all the
> Parthenium weeds which were growing in front of my house. After that,the
> weeds were destroyed and no more Parthenium weed has grown near my home
> till now which may seem unbelieveble.          I had also sent the
> projects to the then Hon'ble President Of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
> but I faced a serious hacking for seven months. Then, I had met with Dr.
> Kalam on September 26th this year and also I had applied for patent.
> But, on 19th November, I got a letter which depisted that I had got the
> patent but the persons of NRDC will report me on this after passing a
> resolution in the INDIA GAZETTE. They also said me that I have to go for
> commercialization. Then, I am in the search of companies with whom my
> negotiation is going on. So, I shall disclose the chemicals after 1 to 2
> months after the commercialization of my projects.          I am
> currently working on 13 projects other than the Elimination Of
> Parthenium. Now, I have also attended a state level agricultural
> exhibition 2007 of Orissa in to make the people aware about the evil
> effects of the Parthenium weed. The stall was provided to me free of
> cost when the Directorate of Agriculture, Govt. Of Orissa saw the demo
> on the topic. They also arranged all the facility on this. I am also
> attaching the photographs on this which were taken with the Orissa
> Agriculture Minister and Orissa State Agriculture Director at the stall.
> My projects included the diffusion of nuclear wepon for which it was
> hacked and I faced the serious danger. So, the article on Schoolboy
> Under Survelliance was published in the Hindu newspaper and its internet
> archives. For this, my projects also got a good coverage in all the
> local medias of Orissa. Thanking You, Yours Faithfully, Sujit Kumar Kar.
>

Dear Sujit,
     You can get desired information from IPRNG website.

I introduced you to this group so that you can explain your work to
the Parthenium researchers around the world. You are expecting from us
to promote and market your project but unless we know the project
contents we are unable to do anything. I only know the title i.e.
Elimination of Parthenium. Please share the information. As mentioned
by Prof. Goyal and other members that as you have patented it, you can
discuss it more openly.

We are waiting for your mail about your project.

Pankaj Oudhia

--- In IPRNG@..., Sujit Kumar Kat <sujitkumar_kunu@...>
wrote:
>
> Good Morning Sir,
>            KINDLY SUGGEST ME THE PROCEDURE OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF
PARTHENIUM.
>   THANKING YOU,
>   YOURS FAITHFULLY,
>   SUJIT KUMAR KAR.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>  Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>

A Chinese invader, hired by India
- Tree capturing Himalayan region by poisoning plants: Scientists
G.S. MUDUR

New Delhi, Dec. 26: Not just the Chinese army, a tree with roots there
is also facing grave allegations of capturing Indian territory.

The tree, native to China and east Asia and introduced in India for
the extraction of vegetable oil, is cornering terrain for itself in
the Himalayan region by poisoning local plants, scientists have warned.

Named Sapium sebiferum and growing in Himachal Pradesh and
Uttarakhand, the tree shows the key hallmarks of an invasive species,
scientists at the Institute of Himalayan Bioresources Technology
(IHBT), Palampur, said.

“This plant has the ability to alter the habitat around itself, making
it unsuitable for other plants,” Sanjay Uniyal, a plant ecologist at
IHBT told The Telegraph.

Although the exact extent to which the tree has spread in the western
Himalayas still remains unassessed, studies by Uniyal and his
colleagues indicate that it has successfully established itself in the
sub-Himalayan tracts of India and poses a threat to native plants.

Preliminary surveys by the IHBT scientists have revealed seedlings and
saplings of Sapium sebiferum where this tree was not present earlier.

In a report in the journal Current Science from the Indian Academy of
Sciences, Uniyal and his colleagues cautioned that like other invasive
species, Sapium sebiferum has high potential for spread �" it produces
fruits and seeds every three or four years, and a single mature plant
produces 100,000 to 150,000 high-viability seeds.

Uniyal said IHBT had no information of when this plant was introduced
in India. But forest scientists believe it was brought to function as
a multipurpose agroforestry and economically important tree.

The scientists point out that the tree, commonly known as the Chinese
Tallow, has been dubbed an invasive species in several countries,
including the US where it has spread across several southeastern states.

Uniyal said Sapium sebiferum is an allelopathic plant that can
dramatically change local habitats by adding certain substances in the
soilthat are harmful to local plants.

“Allelopathic substances may be produced by the leaves or the roots of
invasive species,” said K.V. Sankaran, a senior scientist with the
Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi. “These are essentially plant
toxins that prevent growth of other plants.”

Forest ecologists tracking the spread of invasive species in India
said Sapium sebiferum is not yet classified as invasive, but this
could be only because of lack of data on its spread.

“Many plants that we think were always here are actually alien species
from other lands,” said Akhilesh Rabhubanshi, an ecologist at the
Banaras Hindu University, who has been studying invasive species in
the Vindhyan region.

The pale green annual herb, Parthenium hysterophorous, entered India
sometime in the early 20th century through contaminated cereals, but
was recorded in 1956.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071227/jsp/frontpage/story_8714565.jsp

Green projects?
Mini hydel projects proposed to be set up in Western Ghats are termed
green, writes Sanjay Gubbi, wondering how green these projects really are.


Post-independence, dams, river valley projects, mining and several
other large developmental projects fragmented, submerged and destroyed
our wildlife habitat. While this onslaught is still on, a new
developmental threat is looming large on the forests of Western Ghats
in Karnataka. The irony is that, these projects are termed as 'green
projects'. These are mini-hydel projects (up to 20 mega watts)
entering pristine forests and wildlife habitat. As the name suggests,
these are small scale electricity generating projects and do not
submerge vast forest lands as mega-hydel projects.  However, the
impact of these projects are different and are largely unknown.

These mini-hydel projects pose lesser risk than thermal or nuclear
energy and to an extent supplement the growing demand of our energy
needs. But, the location of some of these projects currently planned
and implemented are ill-sited. No one would object to these 'green
projects' if sited outside ecologically fragile areas. Currently, 73
mini-hydel projects have been permitted in the fragile Western Ghats
by the Government subsidiary Karnataka Renewable Energy Development
Limited (KREDL). Once these projects are implemented, the natural
forests of our Western Ghats in Karnataka would be further fragmented.
Notably, Kempholey, Kaadumane, Bisale, Someshwara, Kabbinaale,
Charmadi, Neriya, Dharmasthala and other reserved forests would be
largely impacted.

Fragmentation due to these projects will affect the habitat of tiger,
elephant, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri marten, Travancore tortoise,
Cochin cane turtle, hornbill and other habitat specialist species,
most of which are endangered. Extensive network of roads will be
formed within these otherwise remote forest areas. These road networks
will lead to increased timber theft, wildlife poaching and other
illegal activities. Unexplored areas in the remote Congo forests in
Africa are home to elusive forest elephants. However, these days
construction of roads into these interior areas have led to large
scale poaching of these forest mammals. The effect of roads on forest
and wildlife has been well proved by several scientific studies.
Construction of new roads in forest areas will also encourage invasive
exotic plant species such as Parthenium and Euputorium. Roads in this
high rainfall area will lead to heavy soil erosion, ending up in dams
built for mini-hydel projects and in rivers and streams.

Fragmentation of habitat affects movement, dispersal and forage
pattern of all wildlife species.  Apart from roads, forests have to be
cut to draw power lines to transmit electricity to connect to the
national grid. For example, a total of 124 large transmission poles
have been established at the Kempholey mini-hydel project to transmit
electricity to the nearest substation involving large scale linear
clearance of forests. These linear threats will cause irreversible
damage to the habitat of tree dwelling wildlife species such as
lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri marten. It will also cause habitat
related threats to these wildlife, leading to genetic isolation of
populations that could result in local extinction. These extinctions
are caused due to lack of gene flow and other genetic related diseases
such as inbreeding.

It is not true that these projects do not lead to any forest
destruction. The Kempholey and Kaadumane projects built across River
Nethravathi have already felled thousands of trees and submerged
forest areas. Construction of dams, power houses, turbines and the
laying of pipelines lead to clearance of forests.

Promoters of these projects have no great love or respect either for
forests or for the protection of environment. The reason and motives
seem to be largely different. The incentives and subsidies provided by
both the State and Central Governments for these non-conventional
energy projects seem to be the main attraction. Even the United
Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC) provides attractive
subsidies for these projects. The promoters of the Kempholey project
have already approached UNFCC for these incentives. However, little is
disclosed that this project is implemented by destroying natural forests.

These large-scale subsidies have turned this enterprise into a racket.
Some companies have purposefully split their projects into a number of
smaller ventures in the pretext of taking the subsidy amount to the
maximum level.

If all the proposed ventures are implemented, mini-hydel projects will
be constructed against almost all naturally flowing rivers in Hassan,
South Kanara, Chikmagalur and North Kanara districts. A total of 27
mini-hydel projects are proposed to be constructed across Nethravathi
River alone! The natural flow of the river will be completely affected
if all these projects are implemented, leading to the local extinction
of bio-diversity which survives only in naturally flowing rivers.

In the United States, scientific evidence shows the negative impact of
run-of-river projects on fish abundance and reproduction. There are no
such studies carried out in our country before such projects are
permitted. In fact, we are yet to understand the diverse species that
survive in these ecosystems. Recently, scientists from the Zoological
Society of India discovered a new freshwater catfish (Glyptothorax
Kudremukhensis) in Kuduremukh that survives only in flowing water. It
is an irony that these projects will destroy the habitat of these
species even before we discover them.

Is this form of energy really cheap? I doubt, when the true costs of
production, transmission and distribution is hidden behind public
subsidies. Little do people know that there will be no electricity
production from these projects once monsoon ends.

Under the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2012) developed under
the chairmanship of the prime minister, it was suggested that 10 km
around protected areas have to be declared as ecologically sensitive
zones and no developmental activity should be permitted in such areas.

It's a mockery that several of the proposed projects are planned
within the ecologically sensitive zones of Kuduremukh, Someshwar,
Pushpagiri and Dandeli protected areas. The Supreme Court of India has
banned all non-forestry activities in reserved forests and thickly
wooded areas, and it is shocking that these projects have been
permitted, leading to contempt of the court's order.

A few of these areas where these projects have been proposed are
places of tourist attraction.  Koodlutheertha, Malahalli, Irppu,
Bandaje are all popular waterfalls, attracting several thousand
tourists annually. Small-scale businesses that depend on tourism in
these areas will have to be shut down once the projects are
implemented, affecting the source of income of several families.

We certainly can't go back to the beginning of the 18th century when
there were only a billion on this planet. We know for sure that
electrical energy is vitally important. However, where and how these
projects are implemented is critically important. We need not see the
day when there would be shortage of water even in the Western Ghats
due to the destruction of forests. Then there would be neither
forests, nor water, nor wildlife or electricity.

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Dec252007/snt2007122442950.asp

Salam to All,

I am interested to know the insect vectors of Parthenium phyllody disease. Any papers published in this, especially from Ethiopia?

What I have found on the net, is some general information such as aphids and leafhoppers are potential candidates, but, nothing specific?

Thank you,

Best Regards,

Talal Al-Zadjali

Residue allelopathy in Parthenium hysterophorus L.�"Does parthenin play
a leading role?

Regina G. Belza, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The
Corresponding Author, Carl F. Reinhardtb, Llewellyn C. Foxcroftc and
Karl Hurlea
aUniversity of Hohenheim (360), Department of Weed Science, 70593
Stuttgart, Germany
bUniversity of Pretoria, Department of Plant Production and Soil
Science, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
cScientific Services, Kruger National Park, P/Bag X402, Skukuza 1350,
South Africa
Received 9 January 2005;  accepted 16 June 2005.  Available online 12
October 2006.

Abstract

Apart from its competitive ability, the invasiveness of the noxious
weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. is thought to be due to an ability to
displace other species by means of allelopathy. The sesquiterpene
lactone parthenin that is biosynthesized by this species is thought to
play a role in its allelopathic interference with surrounding plants.
However, despite the fact that parthenin is released from various
plant parts into the soil, little is known about its relative
contribution to overall allelopathic effects. Because leaf residues
are believed to deliver large amounts of parthenin to soils during
decomposition, we investigated the level of involvement of parthenin
in overall phytotoxicity of decomposing leaf material in a South
African population of P. hysterophorus. The natural release of
inhibitors during decomposition was simulated by aqueous extraction of
fresh leaf material (FM) and the responses of test plant species
(Ageratum conyzoides L., Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.,
Eragrostis curvula (Schrad) Nees, Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter,
Lactuca sativa L.) to extracts were evaluated under laboratory
conditions in dose�"response bioassays. Species differed considerably
in their sensitivity to leaf extracts, whereby A. conyzoides was most
sensitive with ED50-values for root length of 24.8 mg FM/ml and 53.6
mg FM/ml for inhibition of germination. The quantities of parthenin
within leaf extracts were determined using HPLC, and the phytotoxicity
of quantified extract concentrations was assessed in pure compound
dose�"response bioassays. A. conyzoides was again most sensitive, with
ED50-values for inhibition of root length and germination by parthenin
of 51.8 and 289.9 μg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, parthenin
treatments proved to significantly delay germination and stimulate
root growth at low doses. The contribution of parthenin to observed
effects of leaf extracts was finally estimated by model comparisons of
dose�"response relations of parthenin in leaf extracts or as a pure
compound. Results showed that the contribution of parthenin was highly
dependent on its concentration within extract solutions and varied
between 16% and 100% of overall phytotoxicity of leaf extracts. The
inhibition could be completely reproduced by pure parthenin treatments
in quantified amounts, when extract solutions with high levels of
parthenin were tested on the most sensitive species, A. conyzoides.
This suggested that the release of parthenin during decomposition of
leaf material has a potential to play a leading role for allelopathy
in P. hysterophorus; however, its significance in a natural setting
will very much rely on the amount of leaf material accumulated on soil
surfaces and the concentration of parthenin in residues.

Keywords: Allelopathy; Aqueous leaf extract; Dose�"response modeling;
Hormesis; Parthenin; Petri dish assay


Corresponding Author Contact InformationCorresponding author. Tel.:
+49 711 459 3444; fax: +49 711 459 2408.

Weeds Concept, Classification & Agricultural Importance   [ 2007-12-21 ]
Dharma Raj Dangol, Ph. D.
Agricultural fields are dynamic and "living" biocoenosis where we can
find the interrelationship between four components: man, cultivated
plants, weeds and environment. The biotic components and the
environment interact with each other and create a dynamic system. This
ecological system can be called agroecosystem. In this section we will
deal about weeds as plants that always associate with the crops (or
desired plants).

Concept of Weeds
Much time has been spent by scientists to solve the problem of how to
define the term "weed". The difficulty may be as a result of the
different kinds of weeds associated with crops; the involvement of
weed scientists with different backgrounds, and different classes of
farmers. The definition provided by agronomists is not satisfactory
for ecologists, the concept of "weed" held by big farmers does not fit
to that of the small farmers. A simple definition of weeds provided by
Blatchley in 1912 as '"unwanted" plants "of out of place" becomes
questionable to the people who use the weeds from their fields as
food, medicine, forages, fibers and even in industries. Ten year
earlier, Aldrick and Kremer defined a weed as "a plant that originated
under a natural environment and, in response to imposed and natural
environments, evolved and continues to do so as an interfering
associate with our desire plants and activities". Sometimes, extreme
definitions may come like the one of Harlan in 1995. According to him,
weeds are organisms adapted to human disturbance and the definition
needs not be confined to plants.

Going through Harlan's definition, it is clear that "previous weed
boundaries" have been broken down (as Berlin wall did!) to accommodate
"organisms" like house sparrows, starlings, pigeons, sewer rats house
flies, etc. As yet I am a beginner, my taboos still do not allow me to
incorporate all "organisms adapted to human disturbances" inside my
"weed boundaries", which only allow me to accommodate plants growing
in "khetland" and "bariland" habitats without being cultivated. I also
do hope, if I go "further and gather more knowledge" in this field,
one can not say that my taboos will not be broken down in future.

Classification
Classification is the process of recognizing and delimiting groups to
produce a system. The taxonomic groups, the taxa, include, from the
highest rank to the lowest, are kingdoms, divisions, subdivisions,
class, order, family, genus and species (subspecies or varieties). The
rank levels used most often in weed science are families, genus, and
species. There are about 450 families of flowering plants and well
over 35,000 different species. Apart from the botanical (taxonomic)
classification, weeds are classified in different ways and into
different groups.

Agrestals (segetals or cropland) Weeds
Agrestals are weeds of tilled, arable (crop) land and can be
subdivided into "cereal weeds", "pulse weeds", "rice weeds", "wheat
weeds", "pineapple weeds", "tea weeds", "cotton weeds". Besides that,
for practical purposes, agrestals are subdivided into: annuals and
perennials (according to basis of life-cycle); major and minor (after
their degree of weediness), and broad-leaved and narrow-leaved
(according to susceptibility to herbicides). The type of weed
occurrence depends on the frequency and time of soil cultivation.
Annual weeds are prevalent more in annual field crops whereas more
perennials are found in plantations where the soil is not cultivated
each year.

Ruderal Weeds
Ruderals are plants occurring on earth heaps, dunghills, trash
deposits, roadsides, railway lines, roofs, margins of waste water
ditches, temples, old houses and so on. The ruderals are a most
heterogeneous weed group ranging from tiny, short leaving annuals
(Lemna minor) to tree-species (like Ficus benghalensis, Ficus
religiosa). Many agrestals, such as Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica,
Galinsoga ciliata, Ageratum conyzoides, Amaranthus spinosus and so on,
also very harmonically grow in ruderal habitats. Other examples of
such plants which are common in rice fields and ruderal sites include
Eichhornia crassipes, Monochoria hastata, Marsilea quadrifolia,
Vernonia anagallis-aquatica, etc.

Grassland (Meadow, Permanent Pasture and Mown pasture) Weeds
Grassland weeds are the plants that have a negative influence on
livestock or on their product or are not palatable and possess a high
competitive power to other desired species (Holzner, 1982). These
group includes mainly perennial species.

Aquatic (Water) Weeds
Aquatic plants may be wanted or unwanted. Aquatic weed can be
categorized according to their growth habit into three groups. They
are free-floating (Eichhornia crassipes, Salvia natans), submerged
(Hydrilla verticillata, Potamogeton nodosus) and emerged (Typha
angustifolia, Alternanthera philoxeroides).

Forestry Weeds
Plant species are considered forestry weeds when they interfere with
tree nurseries, afforestated species or desired species of the natural
forest vegetation. Forestry weeds also range from annual agrestals to
big trees (which are undesired because of their slow growth, many
branches, wood difficult to sell).

Environmental Weeds
Environmental weeds are introduced, aggressive species that colonize
natural vegetation and suppress the native species to a certain
extent. In Europe, Robinia pseudacacia, Prunus serotina, Amelanchier
species are considered as environmental weed trees. Elodea canadensis
and Elodea nuttallii are two aquatic environmental weeds. In Nepal,
Parthenium hysterophorum can be taken as an example of this type as it
dislodges mainly Cassia tora in the Terai and Inner Terai and Cannabis
sativa and Artemisia species in the Kathmandu valley.

Poisonous weeds
The plants that cause itching and swelling such as poison ivy
(Toxicodendron radicans), poison oak (Toxicodendron toxicarum), and
that cause hay fever such as goldenrod (Solidago sp.), big sagebush
(Artemisia tridentata), ragweed (Ambosia spp.) come under this group,
which we could call "medicinal weeds".

Parasitic Weeds
Phanerogamic plants that parasitize on crops or desired plants are
referred to as parasitic weeds. These weeds depend on the crop for
part or all of their water and nutrients and can consequently do vastl
damage than other weeds. They attach to the crop, either to the shoots
as in dodders (Cuscuta species) and mistletoes (Loranthaceae and
Viscaceae), or to the roots as in broomrape (Orobanche spp.) or
witchweeds (Striga species).

Agricultural Importance of Weeds Negative Effects Competition Weeds
compete with cultivated plants for nutrients, water, and light which
may result in a reduction of the crop yields. Yield is reduced to 91%
in upland rice, 10-70 % in transplanted rice, 24-64% in maize, 12-37%
in wheat, 29% in rape mustard and 21% in potato. The degree of
competition depends on the weeds (species, density, pattern,
duration), crops (species, variety, planting date, planting rate,
planting pattern, and environmental factors like weather, soil type,
soil fertility, pests.

Allelopathy
The term means: the injurious effect of one upon another, it was
coined for the production of chemical compounds (allelochemicals) by
one plant, mostly secondary metabolites, that can induce of suffering
in, or give benefit to, another plant. The role of allelopathy may be
stimulatory or inhibitory. In an agroecosystem, allelopathic
interactions may be crop-crop, weed-weed and crop-weed. If the
allelochemicals of one weed inhibit germination, growth, and
development of another weed, they can be called as natural herbicides.
A crop may be stimulatory to growth and development of other crop.
Such crops with stimulatory potential can be used as intercrops or as
rotational crops. A great number of data is accumulating on
Allelopathy. It is new to Nepal, only a few studies have been carried out.

Hosts for diseases, insects, nematodes
Weeds serve as hosts for many diseases, insect pests and nematodes and
increase the costs of protection and reduce yield. For example,
Alopecurus myosuroides weed hosts fungus called ergot (Claviceps
purpurea), Stellaria media weed hosts cucurbit mosaic virus, and
Chenopodium album weed harbors black bean aphid (Aphis fabae)

Adulteration in seeds
Weed seeds reduce the quality as well as the value of the
crop seeds. Seeds of madilo (Ischaemum rugosum,), Sama (Echinochloa
colona, E. glabrescens, E. crus-galli,), and mothe (Cyperus difformis,
Cyperus iria) in rice grains; of Gahunko mama (Phalaris minor) and
Kutilkosa (Vicia seeds) in wheat seeds; Kutilkosa (Vicia spp.), Methi
jhar (Medicago lupulina,) and Sukul jhar (Polygonum plebeium) in lentil.

Allergies due to weeds
Weeds are reported as a causal agent for allergies. Pollen grains from
weeds may cause hay fever, irritation of skin, souring of eyes,
ruining of nose and other similar problems. Pollens from Prosopis
spp., Cassia spp., Azadirachta indica, Albizia lebbak cause asthma.
Some weeds with skin allergy properties include: Parthenium
hysterophorus, Urtica dioica, and Mucuna puriens.

Reduction of quality of livestock products
A number of weeds possess hard and sharp structures such as spines or
thorns, or awns that can produce mechanical injury to livestocks. Some
of the more common mechanical injury-causing weeds are Avena fatua,
Bromus tectorum, Cenchrus longispinus, Salsola kali, and Tribulus
terrestris. Some weeds such as Allium vineale (wild garlic), A.
canadense (wild onion), A. tricoccum (wild leek) and Thlaspi arvense
(fanweed) cause off-flavors in milk and other diary products. Weeds
often damage wool, hides and carcasses, thereby lowering the quality
of animal products.

Problem in harvesting and threshing
Spiny weeds like Cirsium arvense, Carthamus oxycantha, Cirsium spp.,
Argemone mexicana, create great problems during the harvest of the
crops. Similarly very tall weeds like Echinochloa crus-galli, E.
glabrescens, and climbers like Ipomoea purpurea hamper the threshing
of rice.

Farm losses from weeds
The total annual monetary loss due to weeds was $ 6,408, 183, 000 in
the 13 field crops (corn, cotton, peanut, grain sorghum, soybean,
sugar beet, sugarcane, barley, flax, oat, rice, rye, and wheat), $
619,072 in vegetables and $ 441, 449 in fruit and nuts for the period
1975 to 1979.

According to Chandler, about $ 3.1 billion are spent annually in
equipment and labor for inter-row tillage of crops and tillage to
control weed between cropping season. It has been estimated that total
expenditures for herbicides used on croplands in the US: are
approximately $ 2.1 billion with application of these herbicides
costing $ 938 million annually.

Land value depreciation
Purchasers or bankers may reduce the value of land if it is full of
perennial (Convolvulus arvensis, Sorghum halepens, Eltrygia repens)
and parasitic (Cuscuta reflexa) weeds, because they are recognized as
a loss of productive potential.

Increase in cost of production
Weeds increase labors to control, to harvest and post harvest works
like separating contaminated seeds from crop seeds. As a result the
cost of production rises.

Positive Aspects of Agrestal Weeds Beneficial impact on the soil Weeds
such as Digitaria have very good ability to protect the soil from
erosion with an intensive root system and procumbent culms, rooting at
the nodes, while their competing effect is small because of their low
growth and late emergence. According to him, Convolvulus arvense
increase the fertility of the top soil by bringing up nutrients from
deep soil layers.

Impact on the population of pests
Weeds not only harbor harmful insects, as mentioned above, but also
serve as suitable habitat for predators. The result is the reason
poorer survival of noxious caterpillars on weedy than on hoed plots.

Beneficial impact on crops
All the weeds growing in cultivated fields are not harmful.
Experimental results tell us that the weed Agrostemma githago has a
positive influence on the protein production of wheat. Nepalese
farmers classify the weeds of their fields into malilo (fertile) and
rukho (infertile) weeds depending on their importance. Malilo weeds
are said to increase soil fertility and the other type is in contrast
to it.

Beneficial effects for agriculture
We have to look weeds from an ecological point of view. For instance,
in an agroecosystem, weeds not only compete with crops but also
compete with their own population. If we control weeds by herbicides,
the results are resistant weeds which only compete with crops. Because
of this reason Austrian Professor

Holzner forwarded his idea about ecological management saying "it
would seem reasonable and subject to aim at a weed control achieving a
weed population in the fields that is rich in species but poor in
individuals and that can be easily controlled, mainly by mechanical
means and by crop rotation, and does not tend to the negative effects
of compensation..." in order words "not total eradication of weeds but
management of the weed population, using tolerable species to control
other more noxious ones..."

The importance of weeds for man
Weeds indicate for soil and climate as all plants and can be used as
means for biogeographical mapping for planning purposes. In former
days, in Nepal, farmers engaging in weeding activity decide their
tiffin time in fields observing the flowers of Monochoria vaginalis.
If flowers stop opening, they take their tiffin (snacks).

(The writer is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental
Science, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur, Chitwan,
Nepal)

http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/content.php?nid=32661

Just found this story few moments back while surfing net. Interesting
and also question raising!!!!!! specially comments of central
intelligence at the end of this news.

regards
pankaj

=====================================

  Schoolboy under surveillance?

Staff Reporter

The student claims that his troubles began after he came out with his
‘innovative concepts’, seeks police protection



Sujit Kumar Kar at work in his home.

BHUBANESWAR: A student from a city-based English medium school has
claimed to have come under the scanner of the international spy
network for some of his “innovative concepts.”

Parents of the student on Monday lodged a complaint with the city
police describing about the “threats,” they had been receiving through
different e-mails. They sought police security.

The boy Sujit Kumar Kar, a Standard VIII student of Venkateswar
English Medium School, said that he had sent details about his
projects to the official e-mail IDs of the former President, A.P.J
Abdul Kalam, when he was holding office in the month January. But
somehow, the concept details fell in the hands of some other persons,
he alleged.

Since then, he had been receiving e-mails from Mohammad Aftab Bari,
who identified himself as one of the webmasters of the President’s
website.
The projects

Sujit claimed he was working on four projects, elimination of
‘Parthenium’, a plant species dangerous to health, Aerial
Electromagnetic technique for nuclear weapon diffusion, neutralisation
of earthquake impact and restoration of ice of Antarctica.
Subsequently, Bari promised the family to help earn Rs. 50 crores by
selling the projects.

As Bari went on to send instructions about how to go about the
projects, the family continued spending money on buying computers,
data cards, laptop and moreover anti-virus software.

The boy and his maternal uncle had even gone to Bangalore and Kolkata
following instructions from the e-mail sender.

Sujit’s uncle claimed they were even escorted by two police jeeps
during their stay in Bangalore, which was previously made known to
them by Bari.

“The messages sent by Bari were so intriguing about science that a
simple hacker could not have done this. After all, the process started
only when it was sent to the President’s e-mail. So, there was no
question of disbelieving anybody. We have spent about Rs. 5 lakhs,”
Sujit’s father Basant Kar said.

Sujit’s mother Menaka Mishra said: “The family members and Sujit are
in constant surveillance of the e-mail sender who managed to know even
petty matters transpired between us inside our house.”

‘Nothing important’

Sources in the central intelligence said that the department was not
attaching much importance to the matter.

They said names of persons mentioned by Sujit were not working in the
President’s office.

© Copyright 2000 - 2007 The Hindu
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2007090457450300.htm&da\
te=2007/09/04/&prd=th&

Dear Group Members,
      Please suggest the next steps to Sujit. At present he is showing
his work to different newspapers and writing to scientists. Few days
back he talked to me. I suggested him to go for systematic field trial
with the help of NRC weed science. If it is successful then it may
come as recommendation. As commented my other members regarding
contents, he said that as it is patented product he is ready to
disclose the contents. Dear Sujit, please share your views.

Newspapers publish news regarding development of new method of
Parthenium control time to time by school students. I am aware of such
news from Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. I feel that there
is need to encourage them.

Many times many private (local) companies publish such claims on
behalf of students. For example one Nagpur based company is making
Paraquat based chemical and selling it as ecofriendly herbal product.
Recently many agril officers contacted me that this company is using
this group for convincing the officers. Officer from Southern
Chhattisgarh informed that they are claiming that I am part of this
company. I am in touch with my legal adviser and collecting the documents.


regards
Pankaj Oudhia

--- In IPRNG@..., ashwani goyal <goyal_ashwani@...> wrote:
>
>
> i would like to participate actively. Pl include my name for the
discussion etc,
> Dr Ashwani Kumar Goyal
> Reader and Head Department of Botany
> Govt. P.G.College, Sector 39, NOIDA-201 301 INDIA
> 0120-2413333
> 91-120-2500938(IGNOU)
> Cell-09868862160
>
>
> To: IPRNG@...: pankajoudhia@...: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:19:53
+0000Subject: [IPRNG] Re: Please encourage this young scientist
>
>
>
>
> "As inspired by the works of Dr. Pankaj Oudhia & Dr. M. Mahadevappa
and Ihave a solution for Parthenium elimination."Sujit[Moderator's
comment: Shri Sujit Kumar has just joined our group. Nowwe can discuss
his research in detail. Welcome Sujit.]--- In IPRNG@...,
ashwani goyal <goyal_ashwani@> wrote:>> > Dear All I have expressed
similar views. Now it is right time toshare all the secrets as things
has been patented> Dr Ashwani Kumar Goyal> Reader and Head Department
of Botany> Govt. P.G.College, Sector 39, NOIDA-201 301 INDIA>
0120-2413333> 91-120-2500938(IGNOU)> Cell-09868862160> > > To: IPRNG@:
srini_cr_1955@: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 19:41:21-0800Subject: Re: [IPRNG]
Please encourage this young scientist> > > > > The claim and safety
should be verified.Since the young scientisthas already patented
theproduct he should share all avilableinformation.Whatneeds to be
done can be thendecided.Regards,Srinivas--- "Dr. M.
Mahadevappa"<mahadevrice@>wrote:> Dear friend,> > Who will bear the
cost ofbuying this chemical to> spray in no man's land?. I
congratulate youfor> success for academic achievement but it cannot
be> recommendedfor field application.> > Good wishes,> M Mahadevappa>
> Pankaj Oudhia<pankajoudhia@> wrote:> On Tue, 04 Dec 2007 Sujit Kumar
Kat wrote>:> >Good Evening Sir,> > With due respect and return in
e-mail aboutour> telephonic conversation today, I Sujit Kumar Kar>
fromBhubaneswar,> Orissa lay the following lines before you with
great>pride. I am a> student of Class-IX, Venkateswar English
Medium>School, Bhubaneswar,> Orissa. I had started my research on
theobnoxious> weed Parthenium> Hysterphours and have came out with
thesolution> which I have named as> Parkil. This solution which has
beenmade by me is a> such kind of> solution which can kill the
Partheniumplant within> 15 minutes of its> application and thus the
plant can beconverted into> manure. It will> liberate different types
of gaseswhich are good for> the ecosystem. I> have got the patent on
thisproject which I have> named as "> Elimination Of Parthenium ".> >>
>Sir, I now want to contribute this project for the> development of>
mymotherland. I need your help in this context.> >> > With
GreatRegards,> > Sujit Kumar Kar,> > Class-IX,> > Venkateswar
EnglishMedium School,> >Bhubaneswar-12,> > Orissa.> > Tel:-
9861009761(M)> >0674-2420254(R)> >> > Contact Time:- 07:00 AM-10:00
AM> > 05:00 PM-11:30 PM> > > > >
>>----------------------------------------------------------> > Dr.
M.Mahadevappa > Advisor, JSS Rural Dev. Foundation. Mysore - 570
004>Ex-Chairman, ASRB, Ex-Vice Chancellor UAS, Dharwad > # 1576,
1stCross, Chandra Layout> Bangalore - 560 040 , Karnataka, INDIA >
Phone:(080) 23216040> Email: mahadevrice@> > > > > > >
>---------------------------------> Be a better friend, newshound,
andknow-it-all with> Yahoo! Mobile. Try
itnow.__________________________________________________________Lookingfor
last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo!
Search.http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
> > > > > > >
__________________________________________________________> Post free
property ads on Yello Classifieds now! www.yello.in>
http://ss1.richmedia.in/recurl.asp?pid=221>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Post ads for free - to sell, rent or even buy.www.yello.in
> http://ss1.richmedia.in/recurl.asp?pid=186
>

---

To: IPRNG@...
From: pankajoudhia@...
Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:19:53 +0000
Subject: [IPRNG] Re: Please encourage this young scientist

"As inspired by the works of Dr. Pankaj Oudhia & Dr. M. Mahadevappa and I
have a solution for Parthenium elimination."

Sujit

[Moderator's comment: Shri Sujit Kumar has just joined our group. Now
we can discuss his research in detail. Welcome Sujit.]

--- In IPRNG@yahoogroups.co.in, ashwani goyal <goyal_ashwani@...> wrote:
>
>
> Dear All I have expressed similar views. Now it is right time to
share all the secrets as things has been patented
> Dr Ashwani Kumar Goyal
> Reader and Head Department of Botany
> Govt. P.G.College, Sector 39, NOIDA-201 301 INDIA
> 0120-2413333
> 91-120-2500938(IGNOU)
> Cell-09868862160
>
>
> To: IPRNG@...: srini_cr_1955@...: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 19:41:21
-0800Subject: Re: [IPRNG] Please encourage this young scientist
>
>
>
>
> The claim and safety should be verified.Since the young scientist
has already patented theproduct he should share all avilable
information.Whatneeds to be done can be then
decided.Regards,Srinivas--- "Dr. M. Mahadevappa"
<mahadevrice@...>wrote:> Dear friend,> > Who will bear the cost of
buying this chemical to> spray in no man's land?. I congratulate you
for> success for academic achievement but it cannot be> recommended
for field application.> > Good wishes,> M Mahadevappa> > Pankaj Oudhia
<pankajoudhia@...> wrote:> On Tue, 04 Dec 2007 Sujit Kumar Kat wrote>
:> >Good Evening Sir,> > With due respect and return in e-mail about
our> telephonic conversation today, I Sujit Kumar Kar> from
Bhubaneswar,> Orissa lay the following lines before you with great>
pride. I am a> student of Class-IX, Venkateswar English Medium>
School, Bhubaneswar,> Orissa. I had started my research on the
obnoxious> weed Parthenium> Hysterphours and have came out with the
solution> which I have named as> Parkil. This solution which has been
made by me is a> such kind of> solution which can kill the Parthenium
plant within> 15 minutes of its> application and thus the plant can be
converted into> manure. It will> liberate different types of gases
which are good for> the ecosystem. I> have got the patent on this
project which I have> named as "> Elimination Of Parthenium ".> >> >
Sir, I now want to contribute this project for the> development of> my
motherland. I need your help in this context.> >> > With Great
Regards,> > Sujit Kumar Kar,> > Class-IX,> > Venkateswar English
Medium School,> >Bhubaneswar-12,> > Orissa.> > Tel:- 9861009761(M)> >
0674-2420254(R)> >> > Contact Time:- 07:00 AM-10:00 AM> > 05:00 PM-
11:30 PM> > > > > >
>----------------------------------------------------------> > Dr. M.
Mahadevappa > Advisor, 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@...> > > > > > > >
---------------------------------> Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with> Yahoo! Mobile. Try it
now.__________________________________________________________Looking
for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
>
>
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Post free property ads on Yello Classifieds now! www.yello.in
> http://ss1.richmedia.in/recurl.asp?pid=221
>

"As inspired by the works of Dr. Pankaj Oudhia & Dr. M. Mahadevappa and I
have a solution for Parthenium elimination."

Sujit

[Moderator's comment: Shri Sujit Kumar has just joined our group. Now
we can discuss his research in detail. Welcome Sujit.]

--- In IPRNG@..., ashwani goyal <goyal_ashwani@...> wrote:
>
>
> Dear All I have expressed similar views. Now it is right time to
share all the secrets as things has been patented
> Dr Ashwani Kumar Goyal
> Reader and Head Department of Botany
> Govt. P.G.College, Sector 39, NOIDA-201 301 INDIA
> 0120-2413333
> 91-120-2500938(IGNOU)
> Cell-09868862160
>
>
> To: IPRNG@...: srini_cr_1955@...: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 19:41:21
-0800Subject: Re: [IPRNG] Please encourage this young scientist
>
>
>
>
> The claim and safety should be verified.Since the young scientist
has already patented theproduct he should share all avilable
information.Whatneeds to be done can be then
decided.Regards,Srinivas--- "Dr. M. Mahadevappa"
<mahadevrice@...>wrote:> Dear friend,> > Who will bear the cost of
buying this chemical to> spray in no man's land?. I congratulate you
for> success for academic achievement but it cannot be> recommended
for field application.> > Good wishes,> M Mahadevappa> > Pankaj Oudhia
<pankajoudhia@...> wrote:> On Tue, 04 Dec 2007 Sujit Kumar Kat wrote>
:> >Good Evening Sir,> > With due respect and return in e-mail about
our> telephonic conversation today, I Sujit Kumar Kar> from
Bhubaneswar,> Orissa lay the following lines before you with great>
pride. I am a> student of Class-IX, Venkateswar English Medium>
School, Bhubaneswar,> Orissa. I had started my research on the
obnoxious> weed Parthenium> Hysterphours and have came out with the
solution> which I have named as> Parkil. This solution which has been
made by me is a> such kind of> solution which can kill the Parthenium
plant within> 15 minutes of its> application and thus the plant can be
converted into> manure. It will> liberate different types of gases
which are good for> the ecosystem. I> have got the patent on this
project which I have> named as "> Elimination Of Parthenium ".> >> >
Sir, I now want to contribute this project for the> development of> my
motherland. I need your help in this context.> >> > With Great
Regards,> > Sujit Kumar Kar,> > Class-IX,> > Venkateswar English
Medium School,> >Bhubaneswar-12,> > Orissa.> > Tel:- 9861009761(M)> >
0674-2420254(R)> >> > Contact Time:- 07:00 AM-10:00 AM> > 05:00 PM-
11:30 PM> > > > > >
>----------------------------------------------------------> > Dr. M.
Mahadevappa > Advisor, 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@...> > > > > > > >
---------------------------------> Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with> Yahoo! Mobile. Try it
now.__________________________________________________________Looking
for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Post free property ads on Yello Classifieds now! www.yello.in
> http://ss1.richmedia.in/recurl.asp?pid=221
>

---

To: IPRNG@...
From: srini_cr_1955@...
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 19:41:21 -0800
Subject: Re: [IPRNG] Please encourage this young scientist

The claim and safety should be verified.
Since the young scientist has already patented the
product he should share all avilable information.What
needs to be done can be then decided.
Regards,
Srinivas

--- "Dr. M. Mahadevappa" <mahadevrice@yahoo.com>
wrote:

> Dear friend,
>
> Who will bear the cost of buying this chemical to
> spray in no man's land?. I congratulate you for
> success for academic achievement but it cannot be
> recommended for field application.
>
> Good wishes,
> M Mahadevappa
>
> Pankaj Oudhia <pankajoudhia@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 04 Dec 2007 Sujit Kumar Kat wrote
> :
> >Good Evening Sir,
> > With due respect and return in e-mail about our
> telephonic conversation today, I Sujit Kumar Kar
> from Bhubaneswar,
> Orissa lay the following lines before you with great
> pride. I am a
> student of Class-IX, Venkateswar English Medium
> School, Bhubaneswar,
> Orissa. I had started my research on the obnoxious
> weed Parthenium
> Hysterphours and have came out with the solution
> which I have named as
> Parkil. This solution which has been made by me is a
> such kind of
> solution which can kill the Parthenium plant within
> 15 minutes of its
> application and thus the plant can be converted into
> manure. It will
> liberate different types of gases which are good for
> the ecosystem. I
> have got the patent on this project which I have
> named as "
> Elimination Of Parthenium ".
> >
> > Sir, I now want to contribute this project for the
> development of
> my motherland. I need your help in this context.
> >
> > With Great Regards,
> > Sujit Kumar Kar,
> > Class-IX,
> > Venkateswar English Medium School,
> >Bhubaneswar-12,
> > Orissa.
> > Tel:- 9861009761(M)
> > 0674-2420254(R)
> >
> > Contact Time:- 07:00 AM-10:00 AM
> > 05:00 PM- 11:30 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------
>
> Dr. M. Mahadevappa
> Advisor, 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@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with
> Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

__________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

The claim and safety should be verified.
Since the young scientist has already patented the
product he should share all avilable information.What
needs to be done can be then decided.
Regards,
Srinivas

--- "Dr. M. Mahadevappa" <mahadevrice@...>
wrote:

> Dear friend,
>
>   Who will bear the cost of buying this chemical to
> spray in no man's land?. I congratulate you for
> success for academic achievement but it cannot be
> recommended for field application.
>
>   Good wishes,
>   M Mahadevappa
>
> Pankaj Oudhia <pankajoudhia@...> wrote:
>           On Tue, 04 Dec 2007 Sujit Kumar Kat wrote
> :
> >Good Evening Sir,
> > With due respect and return in e-mail about our
> telephonic conversation today, I Sujit Kumar Kar
> from Bhubaneswar,
> Orissa lay the following lines before you with great
> pride. I am a
> student of Class-IX, Venkateswar English Medium
> School, Bhubaneswar,
> Orissa. I had started my research on the obnoxious
> weed Parthenium
> Hysterphours and have came out with the solution
> which I have named as
> Parkil. This solution which has been made by me is a
> such kind of
> solution which can kill the Parthenium plant within
> 15 minutes of its
> application and thus the plant can be converted into
> manure. It will
> liberate different types of gases which are good for
> the ecosystem. I
> have got the patent on this project which I have
> named as "
> Elimination Of Parthenium ".
> >
> > Sir, I now want to contribute this project for the
> development of
> my motherland. I need your help in this context.
> >
> > With Great Regards,
> > Sujit Kumar Kar,
> > Class-IX,
> > Venkateswar English Medium School,
> >Bhubaneswar-12,
> > Orissa.
> > Tel:- 9861009761(M)
> > 0674-2420254(R)
> >
> > Contact Time:- 07:00 AM-10:00 AM
> > 05:00 PM- 11:30 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
--
>
> Dr. M. Mahadevappa
> Advisor, 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@...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with
> Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.



      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. 
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

On Tue, 04 Dec 2007 Sujit Kumar Kat wrote :
>Good Evening Sir,
> With due respect and return in e-mail about our
telephonic conversation today, I Sujit Kumar Kar from Bhubaneswar,
Orissa lay the following lines before you with great pride. I am a
student of Class-IX, Venkateswar English Medium School, Bhubaneswar,
Orissa. I had started my research on the obnoxious weed Parthenium
Hysterphours and have came out with the solution which I have named as
Parkil. This solution which has been made by me is a such kind of
solution which can kill the Parthenium plant within 15 minutes of its
application and thus the plant can be converted into manure. It will
liberate different types of gases which are good for the ecosystem. I
have got the patent on this project which I have named as "
Elimination Of Parthenium ".
>
> Sir, I now want to contribute this project for the development of
my motherland. I need your help in this context.
>
> With Great Regards,
> Sujit Kumar Kar,
> Class-IX,
> Venkateswar English Medium School,
>Bhubaneswar-12,
> Orissa.
> Tel:- 9861009761(M)
> 0674-2420254(R)
>
> Contact Time:- 07:00 AM-10:00 AM
> 05:00 PM- 11:30 PM

Burning is best Sandanezwe control method
By Phila Dlamini

THE University of Swaziland together with the Ministry of Agriculture
and Co-operatives have found that burning Sandanezwe is the best
control method, especially in the farming environment.

The findings were revealed in a report on a research study to control
invasive species, specifically Chromolaena odorata, popularly known as
Sandanezwe.

The study came about following a national workshop held at the UNISWA
Faculty of Agriculture in Luyengo, where the public was sensitised on
the increasing problem of sandanezwe invasion in Swaziland. Professor
Ossom said following the successful workshop and a tour of some
Sandanezwe-infested farms in the country, UNISWA, in collaboration
with the agriculture ministry established an experiment in Bhalekane
Cattle Fattening Ranch in the Lowveld which is one of the
government-owned cattle ranches that are heavily infested by
Sandanezwe and Lantana (another alien invasive weed).

Some of the control methods investigated include: (1), slashing weeds
to the soil level; (2), digging up and exposing the weed roots and all
parts to dry up; (3), slashing weeds and, thereafter, spraying them
with a chemical called ‘Roundup’; (4), slashing weeds and
stump-spraying with a chemical called ‘Chopper’; and (5), controlled
burning of weeds. The experiment was conducted from March to July
2007, with observations (including density and type of weed re-growth
and labour requirements) made every two weeks under each control method.

“The least effective method of Sandanezwe control was slashing.

Though slashing gave an obvious, short-term and temporary control,
within a few weeks, the slashed plants sprouted, growing new branches.
Digging up and exposing weeds to dry was effective, but it was the
most labour-demanding method, requiring 9.5 man-days/hectare, compared
to: controlled burning, 5.1 man-days/ha; slashing, 5.7 man-days/ha;
Roundup, 3.1 man-days/ha; and Chopper, 2.4 man-days/ha. Of the two
chemicals investigated, Roundup gave a more effective control than
Chopper,” the report said.

It further states that though controlled burning has predictable
disadvantages (such as, if not properly controlled, the fire can
spread beyond expected limits and can also destroy some desirable
plants as well as animals in the environment), it appeared to be the
only method that could completely wipe out all Sandanezwe and Lantana
plant parts �" including any roots, stems and the ‘seed bank’ that
might be hidden underground.

Further, the report adds, “the results of this investigation are in
agreement with earlier reports on weed control experiments in other
parts of the world. Also, the manager of Mbuluzi Game Reserve found
controlled burning to be the most effective method in controlling
weeds (such as Parthenium species) and checking forest encroachment in
the game reserve.”

For small- scale farmers, it is recommended that small-scale farmers
in the Lowveld should use controlled burning to destroy Sandanezwe.
This recommendation might not be valid or effective in other
ecological zones where environmental situations might be totally
different from those in the Lowveld.

“A small-scale farmer might find it convenient to burn a small area,
or to easily dig up a few troublesome Sandanezwe plants, and he or she
may not have much knowledge about how to use chemicals. It is for this
reason that herbicide use is not recommended to the small-scale farmer
who wishes to control Sandanezwe.”

The report further adds that large-scale farmers could find the use of
Roundup more helpful and cost-effective, provided the correct
herbicide technology is properly applied. Such crucial knowledge and
skills as timing, application method, suitable conditions, herbicide
concentration, equipment calibration and herbicide costs that are
beyond the capabilities of the small-scale farmer might be purchased
or hired by the large-scale farmer.

For such a large-scale farmer who might have adequate resources to
hire or own everything that involves herbicides, it might be more
useful to apply a combination of both slashing the Sandanezwe plants
and then spraying them with Roundup.

Probably, the initial density of the weed could be among the factors
that might determine if spraying Roundup alone would suffice, or
slashing needs to be done first, followed by herbicide application.
The appropriate waiting time between slashing the weeds and herbicide
application was not investigated in this experiment, but it could
depend on a number of factors, including age and density of weeds, the
thickness of slashed vegetation covering weed stumps, prevailing
weather conditions, and other environmental and plant-related factors.

To make Sandanezwe-control recommendations that are applicable to the
whole country, long-term investigations need to be conducted in each
ecological zone.

. . . More research required

ON another note, the report adds that more research is needed in order
to find the best way to control the invasive weeds.

“The ministry of agriculture continues to monitor the Bhalekane
Sandanezwe-control experiment, with technical support from UNISWA, so
that more information on how to manage this weed in the Lowveld can be
compiled over many months or years.”

Meanwhile, the general public needs to be actively and practically
involved in the war to destroy Sandanezwe and prevent it from further
spreading.

It is crucial to kill Sandanezwe plants and prevent the yearly
formation of flowers in May/June, when thousands of Sandanezwe flowers
give rise to millions of Sandanezwe seeds that fly in the air, are
carried by rainwater, streams and rivers, or stick to livestock hair,
vehicle body parts, human skin, clothes and footwear, and Sandanezwe
seeds are, thus unknowingly moved from one place to another, where
they start new infestations.

Sandanezwe-eating goats

It is worthy to note that there is a breed of Sandanezwe-eating, Boer
goats in Swaziland. Also, there is evidence that a species of wild
animals in Mbuluzi Game Reserve also browses on Sandanezwe.

These goats and wild animals could open new avenues to research into
Sandanezwe control using biological control, without importing
foreign, biological-control organisms whose future effects are unknown
and unpredictable. Weed control using plant-eating insects was one of
the weed management methods discussed at an international conference
in Perth, Australia, in September 2007. At the same conference, a
research paper on the situation of invasive weed species in Swaziland
was also presented; attempts made to manage Sandanezwe in Swaziland
were also highlighted.

Conclusions

The following five conclusions were made from this investigation:

1. Controlled burning was the best method for controlling Sandanezwe
and other invasive species.

2. Slashing of Sandanezwe gave a short-term control, but slashed
plants eventually re-grew, resulting in more weed infestation.

3. Of the two herbicides used, Roundup was a more effective weed
control measure than Chopper.

4. Digging up Sandanezwe plants and drying them was an effective
control method, but it requires more labour than the other methods.

5. Re-establishment of both invasive species and desirable forage
species could be delayed by controlled burning, if rains did not fall
for many months.
http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=40208&section=Business

On Tue, 04 Dec 2007 Sujit Kumar Kat wrote :
>Good Evening Sir,
>            With due respect and return in e-mail about our
telephonic conversation today, I Sujit Kumar Kar from Bhubaneswar,
Orissa lay the following lines before you with great pride. I am a
student of Class-IX, Venkateswar English Medium School, Bhubaneswar,
Orissa. I had started my research on the obnoxious weed Parthenium
Hysterphours and have came out with the solution which I have named as
Parkil. This solution which has been made by me is a such kind of
solution which can kill the Parthenium plant within 15 minutes of its
application and thus the plant can be converted into manure. It will
liberate different types of gases which are good for the ecosystem. I
have got the patent on this project which I have named as "
Elimination Of Parthenium ".
>
>   Sir, I now want to contribute this project for the development of
my motherland. I need your help in this context.
>
>   With Great Regards,
>   Sujit Kumar Kar,
>   Class-IX,
>   Venkateswar English Medium School,
>Bhubaneswar-12,
>   Orissa.
>   Tel:- 9861009761(M)
>   0674-2420254(R)
>
>   Contact Time:- 07:00 AM-10:00 AM
>                         05:00 PM- 11:30 PM

Australia. Shop display in Mackay store raises alarm about aquatic weeds
  A ceramic pot display in a Mackay store recently caught the eye of a
land protection officer, not because he liked the display but because
it contained water lettuce and salvinia - Class 2 declared aquatic weeds.

"Corey Bell, who works for Biosecurity Queensland, said the store
proprietor had collected the plants from a nearby pond to enhance the
pot display,'' Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries and
Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said.  "It is an offence under the Land
Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 to introduce,
keep, release, take, transport or supply any Class 1 or Class 2 weed
pest without a Declared Pest permit," Mr Mulherin said

"While the store was not actually selling the plants, they had still
broken the law by taking and transporting a declared weed. The major
aquatic weed pests in the Mackay region are water lettuce, salvinia,
water hyacinth and hymenachne, all of which are Class 2. It is the
responsibility of landholders to control such weeds and stop any spread."

Invasive weeds such as parthenium, Giant Rats Tail grass and rubber
vine also fall into this Class 2 category.

"It is illegal to take declared aquatic weeds from local waterways,
transport them, keep them at home, dump them from a pond or fish tank
into any waterway or stormwater drain or supply them to anyone else.
The maximum penalties for the transport through to commercial supply
of declared Class 2 aquatic weed pests range from $15,000 to a fine of
$30,000. Just one small plant fragment can rapidly multiply and
completely choke a waterway,'' Mr Mulherin said.

"In warm, sunny conditions and lots of nutrients a plant such as
salvinia can double in volume every two to three days. The
environmental impacts on our waterways can be devastating with reduced
sunlight penetration leading to native plant decomposition. The flow
on effect is oxygen depletion resulting in fish kills and high plant
transpiration can lead to a four-fold increase in water loss."

In these situations, the resulting thick mat of aquatic weed is a
physical barrier for birds and animals trying to access water and it
is also a health risk to humans and livestock. It can damage pumping
and irrigation equipment and during flood event, the huge volume of
weed can damage infrastructure such as fences and bridges.

Mr Bell said biological control agents were available for the three
aquatic weed species, but their effectiveness varied.

"You can use chemical controls with registered herbicides and
mechanical control such as aquatic weed harvesters but this is
expensive," he said. "The best way to prevent the spread of aquatic
weeds is to stop the indiscriminate introduction of these pests into
our waterways from home aquariums."

For identification of these weeds or advice on control methods,
contact the local authority weeds officer or DPI&F Biosecurity
Queensland or the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.

Image: A daunting infestation of water lettuce on a local lagoon
system which poses a real environmental risk impacting on water
quality, fish and bird life.
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=19131