Parthenium Hysterophorus
Dr. Viu Meru
This pernicious plant Parthenium hysterophorus, also known as Congress weed,
Carrot weed, feverdew, white top, chandani, ramphal or garghas is an exotic
plant of American origin found in Mexico, USA, Brazil and others in the American
continents. The plant came to India in the 1950s and was first noticed in
Nagaland also at the construction site of the Circuit House Annexe building,
Dimapur in early 1980s. It is assumed that some of its seeds have entered
Nagaland along with the construction materials of that building as it is known
to be transported in soil and mud adhering to vehicles and equipments that moves
from place to place. It is also spread by flowing water and wind as the seeds
are small and light. It is very resistant to decay and can stay alive in dry and
hot soil for over 2 years only to germinate when condition gets suitable. The
plant is capable of flowering when one month old and remains in flower for 6 to
8 months.
Within 2 (two) years time, the weed was seen flourishing in other areas in the
vicinity of the Circuit House, Dimapur and the Government being alerted,
entrusted the Department of Agriculture to eradicate it before it became a
nuisance in the state. But alas, it is every where today! The saddest of all is
that our people still don’t belief what they are told about the weed!
How harmful is it?
It contains a poisonous chemical called Parthenin which causes rhinitis,
sinusitis and acute eczematous dermatitis in man which on continued exposure
becomes chronic. It is reported that “up to 10% of people living in parthenium
infested areas in India suffer from allergic rhinitis, sinusitis “(Tower and
Subba Rao, 1992)
As for agriculture and farm lands in the tropic and sub-tropic regions
parthenium grows so luxuriously that it outgrows, over powers and chokes crops.
Ingestion of the weeds, which is very common, by cattle produces unacceptable
taints in meat (Tudor et al 1982). Even the milk of the cattle were found to
contain parthenin causing allergies. It is reported that in Central Queensland
in Australia, due to the presence of the weed in pastures, the sale price of
cattle were being discounted up to 30% and sale of grain to some South East
Asian countries had been adversely affected.
Control measures:
The best is to up root the plant by hand before it flowers. If flowering, up
rooting and burning is ideal. Cutting the stem does not help as new shoot
sprouts from the stump in no time.
Crop rotation with Marigold in rainy season has being tried. Allelopathic
affect is achieved by planting Cassia sericea plant along side the weed as its
roots have kaoline that accumulate in the soil and interfere with the weed.
Using insects and plant pathogens (rust) is in practice for a number of years
now. Chemical herbicides such as simazine, alachlor, nitrofen etc before
emergence and glyphosate and paraquat after emergence are also being used.
Finnally, composting the whole plant whereby allowing the seed to rot. This is
done by shredding all parts of the weed, gathering them in layers and covering
them with soil or mud for a few weeks. This exotic weed is now found even in the
interior part of the state. The camp sites of the BRTF inadvertently form the
primary site for its spread in most places. Can’t blame them if that happens,
considering the nature their work.
It is not too late to get it eradicated. And we must do it if we don’t want
to lose our farm lands to it and suffer from perpetual allergies.
Note: Sufficient information on Parthenium are found in the Internet
http://www.morungexpress.com/right_column/25125.html
Dear Sir
Please send a copy of the paper. I trust that it will bew very useful for the eradication of Parthenium.
With regards
Dr.A.K.Pandey
TFRI, Jabalpur
To: IPRNG@... From: mahadevrice@... Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 21:41:56 +0530 Subject: Re: [IPRNG] FW: INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES (IAS); THE ULTIMATE THREAT TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
DEar Dr Pankaj,
I am happy to inform you that I presented kyenote address in National Symposium on I A S at Nigombo held on 21st and 22nd in SriLanka. The title of the address: Parthenium Management Technology in India. This is for your information. I returned today.
Regs,
M Mahadevappa
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. M. Mahadevappa
--- On Fri, 22/5/09, Pankaj Oudhia <pankajoudhia@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Pankaj Oudhia <pankajoudhia@gmail.com> Subject: [IPRNG] FW: INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES (IAS); THE ULTIMATE THREAT TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY To: IPRNG@yahoogroups.co.in Date: Friday, 22 May, 2009, 12:18 AM
INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES (IAS); THE ULTIMATE THREAT TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Today is International Day for Biological Diversity
The Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources which is the focal point for implementation of the CBD in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU) of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, and Institute of Biology (IOB) is holding the fourth National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species from May 21 to May 22, 2009 in Negombo. The symposium is sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
By Professor Buddhi Marambe - Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
Majority of the plant and animal species that are beneficial to mankind in most parts of the world are introduced and hence alien to the respective regions. Many alien species that have been established remain at low levels, integrating with the local ecosystem resulting in little impact on the ecosystem. However, a small proportion of alien introductions, both intentional and accidental, have become serious problems due to their invasiveness in agricultural and natural habitats, destroying or displacing crops or indigenous species. Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to which Sri Lanka is a signatory, as alien species whose introduction and/or spread threaten biological diversity. Sri Lanka is a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The CBD calls on its Parties to prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats, or species [Article 8(h)].
The global significance
The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (which is also called the International Biodiversity Day - IBD), which falls on May 22 annually, reflects issues of global significance. The theme for the year 2009, as declared by the Secretariat of the CBD is Biodiversity and Invasive Alien Species. As indicated by the CBD Secretariat, the theme for the IBD - 2009 reflects the reality that IAS have invaded and affected native biota in almost every ecosystem types on Earth.
At present IAS have been identified a key factor that affects the biological diversity of the eco-systems that they have being introduced. In terms of their level of impact on habitat degradation, IAS is second only to the impact made by human beings. While the impacts of IAS are typically classified as environmental, economic, and human health-related, these categories should not be regarded as mutually exclusive. The IAS often has synergistic and cascading impacts, influencing numerous aspects of environmental and human well-being over long periods of time. The IAS have affected the bio-diversity in almost every ecosystem type on earth and are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. As reported by the CBD In 2005, at the global level, IAS have contributed to nearly 40% of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known, since the 17th century.
The macro-economic policies, such as free market policies, liberalization of the financial sector etc. pursued by successive governments in Sri Lanka since the late 1970s have facilitated an increase in the entry of IAS to the country. These include the movement of species through tourists, international trade and traffic as hitch hikers, and international aid. The efforts to diversify the agricultural sector have resulted in attempts to import alien organisms for agricultural purposes. In the majority of cases, alien species have been introduced without adequate screening and evaluation procedures. Even when potentially harmful effects of the alien species are known, they have been ignored for short-term economic gains. The IAS have continued to affect the natural (terrestrial, aquatic and marine) and agro-ecosystems of Sri Lanka affecting its biological diversity and food security, and the incidence of occurrence of IAS has becoming more frequent over the past 2-3 decades.
Legislative controls
At the global level, few countries have developed the required legal and institutional systems that are capable of responding effectively to these invasive species. Spread of these species in terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments present exceptionally challenging conditions for their control. The rapid spread of these species in multitude of environments renders the control of bio-invasions more difficult as control options applied for a given eco-system are difficult to apply in another. Despite being a signatory to international and regional agreements related to trade, i.e. WTO, SAPTA, etc. and international conventions such as CBD, International Plant protection Convention (IPPC), and MARPOL 73/78 Convention, Sri Lanka has enacted a large number of ordinances/acts to impose laws governing import of fauna and flora to the country. The Bio-diversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) of Sri Lanka serves as the focal point for the implementation of CBD while the Government Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka is the focal point for IPPC related activities, while Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) of the MENR is the focal point for implementation of MARPOL 73/78 Convention. The Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (No. 2 of 1937; amended act No. 49 of 1993), Plant Protection Act (No. 35 of 1999), Water Hyacinth ordinance (No. 4 of 1909), and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources act (No. 2 of 1996) are some of the legal enactments that would have assisted in controlling the entry of alien flora and fauna. These legislative enactments provide a considerable legal support to act against the introduction of IAS, however, interests and scopes of these enactments are limited and do not meet the total requirement of acting against invasive species. Thus, it is clear that in addition to development of appropriate legislative framework, which is a pre requisite for effective prevention and subsequent control of IAS, awareness among legislators, entrepreneurs, importers and general public would play a crucial role in tackling the issues of IAS.
Sri Lankan participation
Despite the limitations inherent in international and national regulations, the international cooperation and consideration of the issue of IAS is gradually intensifying. In an era where the impacts of climate changes on the eco-systems are being seriously discussed as assessed, in 2007, the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change reported that the extreme events such as cyclones, floods, droughts and fires, predicted to occur more often, will have an increased ability to facilitate invasions by non-native species. Thus, managing IAS requires a coordinated strategy based on cooperation among all land managers. There are several organizations actively participate in or conduct research on IAS related issues in Sri Lanka, such as Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Forest Department (FD), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of National Botanic Gardens (NBC), World Conservation Union - Sri Lanka (ICUN-Sri Lanka), National Universities, and several other non governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBO). The IAS of interest of these organizations have mainly being the plants such as Salvinia molesta, (Salvinia), Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth), Mimosa pigra (Giant Sensitive Plant), Lantana camara (Lantana), Parthenium hysterophorus (Congress Weed) and Alternathera phioxeroides (Alligator Weed). Less or no attention has been paid to control spread of invasive alien animals such as clown knife fish (Chitala ornate) that have escaped to our aquatic ecosystems through negligence in the ornamental fish trade. No efforts have been made to deal with the marine invaders that enter mainly through ballast water. It is important to note that that the MARPOL convention, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory, requires for every port to have a reception facility to extract ship generated waste to prevent entry of invasives through ballast water, which Sri Lanka is still to establish.
National Invasive Species Control Act
Although the actions in relation to IAS should be taken by many organizations, it is vital to have a specifically identified institution/ committee assigned to oversee and coordinate such actions. Since IAS do not recognize political or other jurisdictional boundaries, they can only be managed if all land managers, both private and public, work together with a common goal. However, the absence of a National Strategy and an Action Plan (SAP) has affected brining in all stakeholders to a common platform in terms of IAS control and better coordination among them. Acknowledging the serious impacts caused by IAS, on January 15, 2009, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Sri Lankan government approved the cabinet paper submitted by the Ministry of Environment to develop a National Invasive Species Control Act to deal with the IAS in the country. The Cabinet of Ministers has further highlighted the importance of obtaining assistance of other line ministries in this effort. The IBD 2009, which commemorate the adoption of the CBD in 1992, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of IAS and to increase practical action to tackle the problem. Being cognisant of this fact, the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources which is the focal point for implementation of the CBD in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU) of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, and Institute of Biology (IOB) is holding the fourth National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species from May 21 to May 22, 2009 in Negombo. The symposium is sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). More than fifty-five papers will be presented in this symposium at the plenary, by invited and technical sessions that have been organized.
In the year 2009, Sri Lanka is also in the process of developing a full scale project on Strengthening Capacity to Control the Introduction and Spread of Alien Invasive Species aiming to secure finances from the GEE to support this worthy cause. This project intends to address the present gaps in controlling the introduction and spread of invasive species in the country by addressing barriers through policy intervention, better coordination, economic instruments, legislation and information. This would no doubt assist in Sri Lankas effort in preventing the introduction of and management of IAS, which is an environmental menace, through a well coordinated institutional arrangement and effective participation of all stake holders concerned.
Need to root out alien species from ecosystem
LUCKNOW: There is a need to root out invasive alien species from ecosystem.
These species are a threat to bio-diversity. The environmental
effects like global warming and climate change are taking place because of these
alien species which are destroying natural resources.
The points were highlighted during a seminar on `Invasive alien species'
organised by forest department on Friday. The seminar was organised to mark
World Biodiversity Day by bio-diversity board.
Species like lantana, carrot grass and parthenium are alien and threatening to
existing species. The number of natural species are going down because of these
alien species.
Bio-diversity is also threatened by hunting, excessive extraction of resources
and environmental pollution
. India has world's 7 per cent floral and 6.5 per cent faunal species and that
makes India rich in bio-diversity.
The speakers also highlighted other ill-effects of alien and invasive alien
species. Decrease in agricultural production is one of them besides decline in
the number of native species.
On the occasion, winners of photography competition organised by bio-diversity
board were given away prizes by forest minister, Fateh Bahadur Singh. Senior
officials of the department along with experts were also present in the seminar.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/Need-to-root-out-alien-species-from-e\
cosystem/articleshow/4567511.cms
I am happy to inform you that I presented kyenote address in National Symposium on I A S at Nigombo held on 21st and 22nd in SriLanka. The title of the address: Parthenium Management Technology in India. This is for your information. I returned today.
Regs,
M Mahadevappa
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. M. Mahadevappa
--- On Fri, 22/5/09, Pankaj Oudhia <pankajoudhia@...> wrote:
From: Pankaj Oudhia <pankajoudhia@...> Subject: [IPRNG] FW: INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES (IAS); THE ULTIMATE THREAT TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY To: IPRNG@... Date: Friday, 22 May, 2009, 12:18 AM
INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES (IAS); THE ULTIMATE THREAT TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Today is International Day for Biological Diversity
The Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources which is the focal point for implementation of the CBD in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU) of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, and Institute of Biology (IOB) is holding the fourth National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species from May 21 to May 22, 2009 in Negombo. The symposium is sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
By Professor Buddhi Marambe - Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
Majority of the plant and animal species that are beneficial to mankind in most parts of the world are introduced and hence alien to the respective regions. Many alien species that have been
established remain at low levels, integrating with the local ecosystem resulting in little impact on the ecosystem. However, a small proportion of alien introductions, both intentional and accidental, have become serious problems due to their invasiveness in agricultural and natural habitats, destroying or displacing crops or indigenous species. Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to which Sri Lanka is a signatory, as alien species whose introduction and/or spread threaten biological diversity. Sri Lanka is a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The CBD calls on its Parties to ‘prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats, or species” [Article 8(h)].
The global significance
The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (which is also called the International Biodiversity Day - IBD), which
falls on May 22 annually, reflects issues of global significance. The theme for the year 2009, as declared by the Secretariat of the CBD is “Biodiversity and Invasive Alien Species”. As indicated by the CBD Secretariat, the theme for the IBD - 2009 reflects the reality that IAS have invaded and affected native biota in almost every ecosystem types on Earth.
At present IAS have been identified a key factor that affects the biological diversity of the eco-systems that they have being introduced. In terms of their level of impact on habitat degradation, IAS is second only to the impact made by human beings. While the impacts of IAS are typically classified as environmental, economic, and human health-related, these categories should not be regarded as mutually exclusive. The IAS often has synergistic and cascading impacts, influencing numerous aspects of environmental and human well-being over long periods of time. The IAS have affected the
bio-diversity in almost every ecosystem type on earth and are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. As reported by the CBD In 2005, at the global level, IAS have contributed to nearly 40% of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known, since the 17th century.
The macro-economic policies, such as free market policies, liberalization of the financial sector etc. pursued by successive governments in Sri Lanka since the late 1970s have facilitated an increase in the entry of IAS to the country. These include the movement of species through tourists, international trade and traffic as ‘hitch hikers’, and international aid. The efforts to diversify the agricultural sector have resulted in attempts to import alien organisms for agricultural purposes. In the majority of cases, alien species have been introduced without adequate screening and evaluation procedures. Even when potentially harmful effects of the alien species are known,
they have been ignored for short-term economic gains. The IAS have continued to affect the natural (terrestrial, aquatic and marine) and agro-ecosystems of Sri Lanka affecting its biological diversity and food security, and the incidence of occurrence of IAS has becoming more frequent over the past 2-3 decades.
Legislative controls
At the global level, few countries have developed the required legal and institutional systems that are capable of responding effectively to these invasive species. Spread of these species in terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments present exceptionally challenging conditions for their control. The rapid spread of these species in multitude of environments renders the control of bio-invasions more difficult as control options applied for a given eco-system are difficult to apply in another. Despite being a signatory to international and regional agreements related to trade, i.e. WTO, SAPTA, etc. and
international conventions such as CBD, International Plant protection Convention (IPPC), and MARPOL 73/78 Convention, Sri Lanka has enacted a large number of ordinances/acts to impose laws governing import of fauna and flora to the country. The Bio-diversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) of Sri Lanka serves as the focal point for the implementation of CBD while the Government Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka is the focal point for IPPC related activities, while Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) of the MENR is the focal point for implementation of MARPOL 73/78 Convention. The Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (No. 2 of 1937; amended act No. 49 of 1993), Plant Protection Act (No. 35 of 1999), Water Hyacinth ordinance (No. 4 of 1909), and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources act (No. 2 of 1996) are some of the legal enactments that would have assisted in controlling the entry of alien flora and
fauna. These legislative enactments provide a considerable legal support to act against the introduction of IAS, however, interests and scopes of these enactments are limited and do not meet the total requirement of acting against invasive species. Thus, it is clear that in addition to development of appropriate legislative framework, which is a pre requisite for effective prevention and subsequent control of IAS, awareness among legislators, entrepreneurs, importers and general public would play a crucial role in tackling the issues of IAS.
Sri Lankan participation
Despite the limitations inherent in international and national regulations, the international cooperation and consideration of the issue of IAS is gradually intensifying. In an era where the impacts of climate changes on the eco-systems are being seriously discussed as assessed, in 2007, the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change reported that the extreme events such as
cyclones, floods, droughts and fires, predicted to occur more often, will have an increased ability to facilitate invasions by non-native species. Thus, managing IAS requires a coordinated strategy based on cooperation among all land managers. There are several organizations actively participate in or conduct research on IAS related issues in Sri Lanka, such as Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Forest Department (FD), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of National Botanic Gardens (NBC), World Conservation Union - Sri Lanka (ICUN-Sri Lanka), National Universities, and several other non governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBO). The IAS of interest of these organizations have mainly being the plants such as Salvinia molesta, (Salvinia), Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth), Mimosa pigra (Giant Sensitive Plant), Lantana camara (Lantana), Parthenium hysterophorus (Congress Weed) and Alternathera
phioxeroides (Alligator Weed). Less or no attention has been paid to control spread of invasive alien animals such as clown knife fish (Chitala ornate) that have escaped to our aquatic ecosystems through negligence in the ornamental fish trade. No efforts have been made to deal with the marine invaders that enter mainly through ballast water. It is important to note that that the MARPOL convention, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory, requires for every port to have a reception facility to extract ship generated waste to prevent entry of invasives through ballast water, which Sri Lanka is still to establish.
National Invasive Species Control Act
Although the actions in relation to IAS should be taken by many organizations, it is vital to have a specifically identified institution/ committee assigned to oversee and coordinate such actions. Since IAS do not recognize political or other jurisdictional boundaries, they can only be managed if all
land managers, both private and public, work together with a common goal. However, the absence of a National Strategy and an Action Plan (SAP) has affected brining in all stakeholders to a common platform in terms of IAS control and better coordination among them. Acknowledging the serious impacts caused by IAS, on January 15, 2009, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Sri Lankan government approved the cabinet paper submitted by the Ministry of Environment to develop a ‘National Invasive Species Control Act” to deal with the IAS in the country. The Cabinet of Ministers has further highlighted the importance of obtaining assistance of other line ministries in this effort. The IBD 2009, which commemorate the adoption of the CBD in 1992, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of IAS and to increase practical action to tackle the problem. Being cognisant of this fact, the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
which is the focal point for implementation of the CBD in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU) of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, and Institute of Biology (IOB) is holding the fourth National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species from May 21 to May 22, 2009 in Negombo. The symposium is sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). More than fifty-five papers will be presented in this symposium at the plenary, by invited and technical sessions that have been organized.
In the year 2009, Sri Lanka is also in the process of developing a full scale project on “Strengthening Capacity to Control the Introduction and Spread of Alien Invasive Species” aiming to secure finances from the GEE to support this worthy cause. This project intends to address the present gaps in controlling the introduction and spread of invasive species in the
country by addressing barriers through policy intervention, better coordination, economic instruments, legislation and information. This would no doubt assist in Sri Lanka’s effort in preventing the introduction of and management of IAS, which is an environmental menace, through a well coordinated institutional arrangement and effective participation of all stake holders concerned.
India Express Buzz
Saturday, May 23, 2009 7:42 AM IST
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40% of Indian flora alien
Express News Service
First Published : 22 May 2009 03:42:00 AM IST
Last Updated :
CHENNAI: More than 40 per cent of the plant species in the country are alien, of
which 25 per cent are invasive, said Prof D Narasimhan of Madras Christian
College. Most Invasive Alien Species are post-Columbian introd-uctions, and many
of the Aquatic Invasive Species were introduced as ornamentals.
With new organisms like the deadly influenza A (H5N1) attacking human beings and
animals in both tropical and temperate countries, researchers and experts on
plant and animal species point out the urgent need in addressing the issue of
invasion of alien species.
The new organisms are drug resistant and even multi-drug resistant, thus
becoming deadly, said Soumya Swaminathan, Director, Tuberculosis Research
Centre. They are also behind emerging infections and re-emerging infections like
Tuberculosis, she said.
The threat of invasion by alien organism is not just confined to the health of
animals and human beings, the invasion by alien species are causing severe
damage to the environment and the economy.
With more and more alien species entering the biosphere, the native species are
being wiped out, thus causing an imbalance in the ecology. “The habitat and
the scope of regeneration of the native species declines with the alien
invasion,” said Dr Nandita Krishna, director, CPR Foundation.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has put 45 tree
species across India on its “Red List of Threatened Plant Species 2007” as
being “critically endangered”. It has flagged 247 tree species in India as
“threatened”.
IUCN is the biggest conservation body with 83 member countries. The list itself
maintains that this could be because of poor regeneration and habitat decline.
Major invasive weeds are Parthenium hysterophorus, Eupatorium adenophorum,
Eupatorium odoratum, Mikania micrantha, Ageratum conyzoides, Galinsoga
parviflora and Lantana.
Most nations are grappl-
ing with costly invasive problems like that of Zebra mussels affecting
fisheries, mollusc diversity and electric power generation; the water hyacinth
blocking waterways and decimating aquatic waterways.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=40%+of+Indian+flora+alien&ar\
tid=1QyDADHxqKc=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&SEO=Madras+Ch\
ristian+College&SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=
INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES (IAS); THE ULTIMATE THREAT TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Today is International Day for Biological Diversity
The Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural
Resources which is the focal point for implementation of the CBD in Sri Lanka,
in collaboration with the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU) of the Faculty of
Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, and Institute of Biology (IOB) is holding
the fourth National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species from May 21 to May 22,
2009 in Negombo. The symposium is sponsored by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
By Professor Buddhi Marambe - Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Peradeniya
Majority of the plant and animal species that are beneficial to mankind in most
parts of the world are introduced and hence alien to the respective regions.
Many alien species that have been established remain at low levels, integrating
with the local ecosystem resulting in little impact on the ecosystem. However, a
small proportion of alien introductions, both intentional and accidental, have
become serious problems due to their invasiveness in agricultural and natural
habitats, destroying or displacing crops or indigenous species. Invasive Alien
Species (IAS) are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to
which Sri Lanka is a signatory, as alien species whose introduction and/or
spread threaten biological diversity. Sri Lanka is a party to the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD). The CBD calls on its Parties to ‘prevent the
introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten
ecosystems, habitats, or species” [Article 8(h)].
The global significance
The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (which is also
called the International Biodiversity Day - IBD), which falls on May 22
annually, reflects issues of global significance. The theme for the year 2009,
as declared by the Secretariat of the CBD is “Biodiversity and Invasive Alien
Species”. As indicated by the CBD Secretariat, the theme for the IBD - 2009
reflects the reality that IAS have invaded and affected native biota in almost
every ecosystem types on Earth.
At present IAS have been identified a key factor that affects the biological
diversity of the eco-systems that they have being introduced. In terms of their
level of impact on habitat degradation, IAS is second only to the impact made by
human beings. While the impacts of IAS are typically classified as
environmental, economic, and human health-related, these categories should not
be regarded as mutually exclusive. The IAS often has synergistic and cascading
impacts, influencing numerous aspects of environmental and human well-being over
long periods of time. The IAS have affected the bio-diversity in almost every
ecosystem type on earth and are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. As
reported by the CBD In 2005, at the global level, IAS have contributed to nearly
40% of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known, since the 17th
century.
The macro-economic policies, such as free market policies, liberalization of the
financial sector etc. pursued by successive governments in Sri Lanka since the
late 1970s have facilitated an increase in the entry of IAS to the country.
These include the movement of species through tourists, international trade and
traffic as ‘hitch hikers’, and international aid. The efforts to diversify
the agricultural sector have resulted in attempts to import alien organisms for
agricultural purposes. In the majority of cases, alien species have been
introduced without adequate screening and evaluation procedures. Even when
potentially harmful effects of the alien species are known, they have been
ignored for short-term economic gains. The IAS have continued to affect the
natural (terrestrial, aquatic and marine) and agro-ecosystems of Sri Lanka
affecting its biological diversity and food security, and the incidence of
occurrence of IAS has becoming more frequent over the past 2-3 decades.
Legislative controls
At the global level, few countries have developed the required legal and
institutional systems that are capable of responding effectively to these
invasive species. Spread of these species in terrestrial, aquatic and marine
environments present exceptionally challenging conditions for their control. The
rapid spread of these species in multitude of environments renders the control
of bio-invasions more difficult as control options applied for a given
eco-system are difficult to apply in another. Despite being a signatory to
international and regional agreements related to trade, i.e. WTO, SAPTA, etc.
and international conventions such as CBD, International Plant protection
Convention (IPPC), and MARPOL 73/78 Convention, Sri Lanka has enacted a large
number of ordinances/acts to impose laws governing import of fauna and flora to
the country. The Bio-diversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and
Natural Resources (MENR) of Sri Lanka serves as the focal point for the
implementation of CBD while the Government Department of Agriculture of Sri
Lanka is the focal point for IPPC related activities, while Marine Environment
Protection Authority (MEPA) of the MENR is the focal point for implementation of
MARPOL 73/78 Convention. The Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (No. 2 of
1937; amended act No. 49 of 1993), Plant Protection Act (No. 35 of 1999), Water
Hyacinth ordinance (No. 4 of 1909), and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources act (No.
2 of 1996) are some of the legal enactments that would have assisted in
controlling the entry of alien flora and fauna. These legislative enactments
provide a considerable legal support to act against the introduction of IAS,
however, interests and scopes of these enactments are limited and do not meet
the total requirement of acting against invasive species. Thus, it is clear that
in addition to development of appropriate legislative framework, which is a pre
requisite for effective prevention and subsequent control of IAS, awareness
among legislators, entrepreneurs, importers and general public would play a
crucial role in tackling the issues of IAS.
Sri Lankan participation
Despite the limitations inherent in international and national regulations, the
international cooperation and consideration of the issue of IAS is gradually
intensifying. In an era where the impacts of climate changes on the eco-systems
are being seriously discussed as assessed, in 2007, the Inter-governmental Panel
on Climate Change reported that the extreme events such as cyclones, floods,
droughts and fires, predicted to occur more often, will have an increased
ability to facilitate invasions by non-native species. Thus, managing IAS
requires a coordinated strategy based on cooperation among all land managers.
There are several organizations actively participate in or conduct research on
IAS related issues in Sri Lanka, such as Department of Wildlife Conservation
(DWC), Forest Department (FD), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of
National Botanic Gardens (NBC), World Conservation Union - Sri Lanka (ICUN-Sri
Lanka), National Universities, and several other non governmental organizations
(NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBO). The IAS of interest of these
organizations have mainly being the plants such as Salvinia molesta, (Salvinia),
Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth), Mimosa pigra (Giant Sensitive Plant),
Lantana camara (Lantana), Parthenium hysterophorus (Congress Weed) and
Alternathera phioxeroides (Alligator Weed). Less or no attention has been paid
to control spread of invasive alien animals such as clown knife fish (Chitala
ornate) that have escaped to our aquatic ecosystems through negligence in the
ornamental fish trade. No efforts have been made to deal with the marine
invaders that enter mainly through ballast water. It is important to note that
that the MARPOL convention, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory, requires for
every port to have a reception facility to extract ship generated waste to
prevent entry of invasives through ballast water, which Sri Lanka is still to
establish.
National Invasive Species Control Act
Although the actions in relation to IAS should be taken by many organizations,
it is vital to have a specifically identified institution/committee assigned to
oversee and coordinate such actions. Since IAS do not recognize political or
other jurisdictional boundaries, they can only be managed if all land managers,
both private and public, work together with a common goal. However, the absence
of a National Strategy and an Action Plan (SAP) has affected brining in all
stakeholders to a common platform in terms of IAS control and better
coordination among them. Acknowledging the serious impacts caused by IAS, on
January 15, 2009, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Sri Lankan government approved
the cabinet paper submitted by the Ministry of Environment to develop a
‘National Invasive Species Control Act” to deal with the IAS in the country.
The Cabinet of Ministers has further highlighted the importance of obtaining
assistance of other line ministries in this effort. The IBD 2009, which
commemorate the adoption of the CBD in 1992, provides an opportunity to raise
awareness of IAS and to increase practical action to tackle the problem. Being
cognisant of this fact, the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of
Environment and Natural Resources which is the focal point for implementation of
the CBD in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU)
of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, and Institute of
Biology (IOB) is holding the fourth National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species
from May 21 to May 22, 2009 in Negombo. The symposium is sponsored by the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
More than fifty-five papers will be presented in this symposium at the plenary,
by invited and technical sessions that have been organized.
In the year 2009, Sri Lanka is also in the process of developing a full scale
project on “Strengthening Capacity to Control the Introduction and Spread of
Alien Invasive Species” aiming to secure finances from the GEE to support this
worthy cause. This project intends to address the present gaps in controlling
the introduction and spread of invasive species in the country by addressing
barriers through policy intervention, better coordination, economic instruments,
legislation and information. This would no doubt assist in Sri Lanka’s effort
in preventing the introduction of and management of IAS, which is an
environmental menace, through a well coordinated institutional arrangement and
effective participation of all stake holders concerned.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=49591
Council delegates urge better funding for national parks
Delegates from 20 north Queensland shire councils have passed a motion calling
on the State Government to boost the level of management funding for national
parks.
The motion passed at the recent North Queensland Local Government Conference
calls for the government to improve park management by providing more money to
park staff.
Flinders Shire Mayor Brendan McNamara says extra funding would be used to kill
pest weeds in his shire, to stop the Flinders River carrying their seeds to the
Gulf.
"We certainly believe that parthenium needs to be stopped at it's source, we
certainly don't want parthenium weed all the way to the Gulf of Carpentaria
because certainly our shire and all those shires west of us are very strong on
trying to keep parthenium weed out of their shires," he said.
"There's some undeveloped parks that could be developed for tourism
opportunities - we believe the money needs to be prioritised on those areas."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/15/2571185.htm?site=northwest
Silent killer
With green the buzzword of the 21st century, everyone craves lush
surroundings. But sometimes all green cover does not have a direct
beneficial affect in our lives. Arunayan Sharma explains
BE green, go green is today’s catchword to make the world a better place.
Everyone craves green coverage as much because green is the colour of the 21st
century. We all wish our surroundings have some green cover in the form of
grass, shrubs and trees. But sometimes all green cover does not have a direct
beneficial affect in our lives. At a time when the cry is for “green”, a
silent green killer is spreading and making inroads into various parts of our
surroundings and this phenomenon is common to all parts of our country, be its
cities, towns or villages.
This silent green killer is nothing but a short-lived ephemeral herb that grows
to two metres high in good soil, germinating after rain during any season,
flowering in six to eight weeks and senescing with drought or frost.
With small seeds lasting up to 20 years, this killer is nothing but Parthenium
hysterophorus, one of the worst weeds for agriculture, the environment and for
the animal and human health. It is considered one of the 10 worst weeds in the
world.
The Parthenium weed " known as white top, whitehead, congress grass or carrot
grass " is an erect annual herb with alternate, deeply-dissected leaves that
grows to up to two metres high with much-branched inflorescences bearing white
flower heads and numerous obovoid, smooth and black achenes. The seeds do not
germinate immediately after ripening, as the achenes first need to disperse and
release several inhibitors of germination. Parthenium germination reaches its
maximum within one to six months after the achenes ripen. The seeds are not able
to germinate in soil below a depth of five centimetres. Parthenium flowers 30-45
days after germination and the whole plant cycle is completed within about five
months, with a single plant producing an average of 900 flower heads.
Parthenium is derived from the Latin word parthenice " a reference to the
plant now known as Tanacetum Parthenium Bern or Feverfew " hysterophorus is
derived from the Greek hystera (womb) and phorus (bearing) referring to the
prolific seeding habit of the plant. Parthenium is also known as Carrot weed or
Gajar ghas (Hindi) " because the leaves are alternate, sessile, irregularly
dissected and bipinnate, resembling that of carrot (gajar) or chrysanthemum.
Parthenium is also known as White Top, Safed Topi (Hindi) and Chatak chandani
(Hindi " chatak meaning bright and chandani meaning moonlight) because of its
numerous white flowers.
A notorious weed, it first sneaked into India with wheat grains imported from
USA almost half a century back. It was first observed in Pune in 1955 and has
since become a widespread menace, especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West
Bengal. The plant is a rapid coloniser and differs from other weeds in its
remarkable adaptability to all kinds of soil and climatic conditions. It is
native to Mexico and the USA and has spread prolifically in central Queensland.
P. hysterophorus is native to the countries bordering the Gulf of Mexico, and
has spread throughout the southern USA, Mexico, the Caribbean and Brazil. A
slightly different race of P. hysterophorus, with yellowish flowers, is native
to central South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and
Uruguay). The probable geographic centre of origin is the countries around the
Gulf of Mexico.
Parthenium flowers only between February and April in the western parts of the
country and only between August and October in the eastern parts. The blossoms
appear in clusters of tiny yellow-white flowers. However, its excellent adaptive
qualities have ensured that the plant completes its life cycle within a very
short period and flowers three to four times a year. Moreover it can proliferate
vegetatively, if need be.
During a flowering season, Parthenium produces more than 600 million
pollen-bearing units per plant. These can cause airborne contaminated diseases
like asthma, respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, hay fever,
acute dramatis and other debilitating allergies. However, it should be noted
that only people allergic to Parthenium suffer its ill effects. It poses some
activity as a depressent to the central nervous system and is reported to be
responsible for the largest incidents of dermatitis in India. Almost every part
of the plant, except the root, is reactive.
Parthenin, an incomplete antigen hepatin in the presence of sunlight
(ultraviolet rays), combines with albumin in the dermal part of the skin to
become a complete antigen and causes photosensitive reaction. This is known as
photophytodermatitis. Consumption of milk from Parthenium-fed livestock could be
hazardous to humans and animals. Since it is an exotic plant, Parthenium does
not have natural enemies such as pests, pathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Also, herbivores do not eat this weed and this helps its unhindered growth.
There are some incidences where it has been reported that some cattle have died
after consuming Parthenium. After taking root, the plant beats all other
vegetation in the vicinity; it leaches the ground and even inhibits the
germination of other weeds. There is, thus, no room for any plant biodiversity
in a Parthenium-infested area.
Uprooting Parthenium is almost next to impossible, though scientific measures
can check its spread to a great extent. Recent research suggests that the
proliferation of the weed can be checked best through measures at the local
level. The most widespread method used in the country today is manual
extirpation. When this is economical, it exposes a person to health hazards
associated with bodily contact with the weed. Another alternative is the use of
chemicals. This is a broad spectrum controlling procedure. Weedicides such as
atrazine, terbutryn, metribuzin, monuron, neburon, oxadiazon and simazine have
been found effective in controlling Parthenium.
Herbicides such as dicamba, glyphosate and picloram have also yielded good
results. Perhaps the most economical method is by spraying with a brine salt (15
per cent common salt) solution to dry out the plants and then burning them.
However, this method is not always advisable because biomass burning in large
amounts may generate biogenic gases that cause serious pollution. Moreover, this
method is not suitable for densely populated areas. Biological methods have also
been used to curb the spread of Parthenium. Research has shown that wasteland
shrubs, cassia serecia and cassia tora, inhabit germination of Parthenium seeds.
Plant extracts or leachates of marigold have also been found to inhibit
germination of Parthenium seeds.
But, Parthenium is not always a menace, it does have some potential uses. It can
be useful to make green manure, vermin-compost, as an efficient binding agent to
check soil erosion and as a raw material for biogas generation. Parthenium
pollen is also being used these days in the manufacture of pesticides. If you
look around, you will find Parthenium rapidly spreading in and around your
locality. Few are aware of its exact impact on the environment, animal and human
health, but it is spreading with great rapidity over great distances " along
railway tracks, village roads, near dry ponds, abandoned buildings, etc.
Managing Parthenium calls for proper planning and management and awareness about
this weed should be raised among citizens. Government and non-governmen
organisations should join hands in this endeavour. The administrative
authorities should take measures to control or to stop its spread before it’s
too late.
(The author is director, Centre for Ecological Engineering, Malda.)
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=31&theme=&usrsess=1&id=253637
Dear Pankaj,
Hi,
My name is Piyush Pandey & i want to know that
whether their are any new advances in the field of Eradication of Gajar-Ghas
or Parthenium as they are causing a nusance at my Farm ,earlier I was in habit
of removing the plant with my bare hands but due to skin allergy i have stopped
it Please tell me an economical & safe method of disposing of this weed
REGARDS
PIYUSH PANDEY
Dr. Oudhia
I rember that we met during National Conference at Rewa organised by Dr. Skand
Mishra, during 7-8th February, 2003, along with Dr Ashok Kumar Pandey.
As you are working with Parthenium hysterophorus weed, its allelopathic effect
on crop plants, its management etc. I need your guidance and references for the
work mentioned below:
As one of my students working on "Allelopathic effect of Parthenium
hysterophorus on crops like wheat and moong" i.e., crop-weed interaction (in the
crop-field). Your are requested to provide information on "Field studies"
carried out by scientists on above mentioned topic. So, that some references can
be included in our work.
Thanks,
With Regards,
Dr Bhasker Punjani, Gujarat.
blpunjani1958@...
Dear Mr. Oudhia
I am at present working as weed expert in the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development. My e-mail address is haimanot_abebe@.... There are
researchers who are working on the parthenium weed. However I do not know their
e-mail address. I will try to find out their address and inform them to contact
you.
With regards
Haimanot
Aggressive non-native weed is spreading north
PARTHENIUM: The toxic plant, which was originally from South America, had until
recently only been spotted south of Taichung, but has spread to Miaoli
By Meggie Lu
STAFF REPORTER
Monday, Apr 06, 2009, Page 2
“Parthenium contains the toxin parthenin, which is harmful to both human and
animal health.”
" Huang Shi-yuan, ESRI assistant researcher
One of the pleasures of the great outdoors is enjoying the beautiful greenery.
However, it may not always be a good idea to bring flowers home, the Council of
Agriculture’s (COA) Endemic Species Research Institute (ESRI) said yesterday.
The ESRI said it recently discovered that Parthenium, an aggressive, toxic weed
traditionally found in central and southern Taiwan that looks like the plant
Baby’s Breath, is migrating northward toward Miaoli County.
“Parthenium contains the toxin parthenin, which is harmful to both humans and
animals,” ESRI assistant researcher Huang Shi-yuan (黃士元) said.
When the pollen is inhaled or contacted, parthenin induces an allergy in the
respiratory system as well as skin rashes, Huang said.
While conditions such as rhinitis and bronchitis can result, the toxin has also
been documented to cause liver dysfunctions in humans, or even mass deaths in
livestock in Australia.
Parthenium was originally found in South America.
Because it is a hardy plant that survives in various climates, it has now spread
throughout the world, including India, Australia and Taiwan, Huang said.
“We do not know the exact time that Parthenium was brought to the island, but
its presence has been documented for at least two decades and was listed by the
COA as a toxic plant in 1988,” he said, adding that the institute suspected
that the weed’s seeds were accidentally imported along with edible grains.
What is alarming is that until recently, Parthenium was found only south of
Taichung. But the plant has recently been found to occasionally grow in Miaoli,
Huang said.
“Because its flowers look like Baby’s Breath, some people find them pretty
and bring them home to plant. While right now the plant may not be a big
problem, Parthenium is beginning to enter its flower season, from March to
October, so it is important that people learn about it and destroy it in the
wild, ” Huang said.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/04/06/2003440335
Respected Sir,
While searching net i find that you are the eminent worker in the field of
biocontrol specially on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus.
Sir , I am a research scholar working on the bioagent of this weed that is
Zygogramma bicolorata. As i am in process to submit my thesis intitled
"Demographic attributes of Partheium beetle Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister", i
need some literature. Please can you kindely able to arrange some literature on
Parthenium or on its bioagent of your own or of some other worker of this field.
I hope for your kind consideration Thanking you,
Shruti
--
(Shruti Rastogi)
Research Scholar,
Lucknow University
Lucknow
rastogi.shruti(at)gmail.com
R\sir,
I have to pay my heartly thanks for guiding me and adding as group
member.
I read most of your articles on parthenium ,I appriciate youre work and
contribution are human kinds.
WITH Regards Arpana mishra
shatinagar, kalukuwa,
Banda-U.P. 210001
Your information about the presence of Parthenium in Kargil reagion is interesting. We have also recorded the presence of Parthenium in Anadman & Nicobar. This information was shared and published in the proceedings of Second Parthenium Conference held at Bangalore in 2005. I shall be grateful if you kindly supply me the informaion about tthe altitude, you got the presence of parthenium and the establishment of Mexican beetle. If you need more culture of beetle, please contact me, I shall make arrangement to send the same to you at the earliest by postal services in the packs we have developed for the purpose or you may come personally to take a good number of insects.
Regards
Sushilkumar
On Sun, 17 Sep 2006 Pankaj Oudhia wrote :
>Respected Sir, we are a research organisation presently working in
>Ladakh. We are providing u a recent information on the spread of
>Parthenium hysterophorus L in Ladakh region ,particularly in district
>Kargil(J&K). Our research group, headed by Sanjeev Rana , is working
>on its Ecology and Biology. We have introduced
>Z. bicolorata for the first time in this area to study the effect of
>this beetle on Parthenium. Through this short communication we want to
>bring into ur notice this noxious weed has spread its tentacles in
>this fragile Himalyan region and our organisation is the first
>initiate integrated studies on this species. Looking for ur comments.
>
>Thanking U
>
> Sanjeev Rana
>Chairman
>The Himalayan Ecological And conservqation Research Foundation(HECRF)
>& Director, High altitude ecological research Station Kargil( a
>concern of Hecrf)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
><*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/IPRNG/
>
><*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> IPRNG-unsubscribe@...
>
><*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
Sushilkumar
Senior Scientist
NRC For Weed Science
Maharajpur Adhartal Jabalpur
M.P. India
Mobile No. 91-9425186747
Tel: 91-761 2353934
R\Sir,
I would like to share my experiments with Parthenium hysterophorus L.. my
mother early in the morning walk for milk reported when see passed through some
flowering plants felt diffeculty in normal respiration cause of this not known
to us. After an interval of two days cause of this understand that is Parthenium
weed as given in newspaper. With the help of my elder brothers all the
Parthenium plants removed and fired.Next day my mother experiemced no problem.
I decided to work control such allergic weed.
My work in this weed enclosed as attachement for IPRNG
With regards
Arpana mishra (Research scholar)
Self-help is the best help: that should be every farmer’s motto
M.J. PRABU
How does she manage any pest attack?
She says: “As long as farmers know the medicinal value and methods of using
neem, basil, parthenium leaves, or cow’s urine as pest repellents, the problem
can easily be tackled.
http://www.hindu.com/seta/2009/03/19/stories/2009031950181300.htm
Invasive plants ruin environment
Raja Waidyasekera, Tissamaharama special corr
The Parthenium, an invasive plant that grows in abundance in Lunugamwehera
Tissamaharama DS areas is causing great destruction to the environment.
The botanists say that this plant belongs to the sunflower species and poses a
threat to all cultivations including fruits and vegetables.It has spread to
parts of Lunugamwehera, Suriyawewa, Tissamaharama and Kirinda areas.
The authorities who are aware of the danger of this invasive plant observe
silence for reasons not known.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/03/16/news60.asp
UT battling invasive plant species
CHANDIGARH: Did you know that you have been braving invasive plants that can
adversely affect health
? Ironically, that seems to be the flipside
of living in the greenest city of India.
Panjab University’s botany department has unravelled the mysteries of nature
and stumbled upon the fact that five of 10 invasive plant species in India are
found in City Beautiful - parthenium, ageratum, lantana, eupatorium and
michenia. All these can lead to allergy of nose eyes and skin, besides
aggravating asthma.
Now, to tackle the menace, the botany department has called upon the scientists
across world to help get rid of invasive plants. Department chairman RK Kohli
told The Times of India, that the world at large will have to join hands to find
a way out to check invasive plants as besides destroying ecology, these lead to
many health related problems including asthma, nasal and skin diseases.
According to a study conducted by PGI, the city has witnessed increase in the
rate of allergic diseases. According to SK Jindal, head of pulmonary medicine,
PGI, the institute sees 30 patients of asthma in a week. In another recent
survey, PGI found out that 3.5 to 6% of children in the age group of 6 to 7
years suffer from asthma in the city.
Meanwhile, in order to frame some guidelines for combating the increasing threat
of invasive plants in India and adjoining countries, scientists across world
will participate in a two-day international conference on ‘Plant invasion &
forest ecology: Concerns & solutions’ being organized by PU in collaboration
with Dayanand National Academy of Environmental Sciences from March 16 to 18.
Also, a two-day IUFRO-SPDC sponsored training workshop on Working Effectively at
the Interface of Forest Science and Forest Policy for ecologists will also be
held by the department from March 14 to 15.The recommendations of the conference
will be proposed to the Union ministry of environment to frame guidelines in
terms of invasive Alien Plant Species in Indian subcontinent.
”The basic purpose is to prepare a roadmap and mode of effectively combating
the increasing threat of invasive aliens in India and adjoining countries with a
clear aim of saving the existing bio-diversity treasure of the region and thus
conserving the ecology and consequential economy,” Kohli said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/UT-battling-invasive-plant-species/art\
icleshow/4262398.cms
Deadly weed invaded Uganda
By Gerald Tenywa
AN alien weed that harms human beings, kills livestock and chokes crops has
invaded Uganda. Congress weed, scientifically known as Parthenium hysterophorus,
has been seen rapidly multiplying in several spots especially along the highway
across Uganda from Busia and to Kabale.
Dr. Gad Gumisiriza, head of the invasive species project in the agriculture
ministry, said the weed has so far been detected in at least 12 districts.
“This is a very aggressive weed which requires quick response. If you delay it
can grow and get out of hand.”
The most affected areas are Busiu along the Tororo-Mbale highway and Busia
border town, each having over two acres of the weed. In Busia, a charcoal burner
got a severe skin reaction and only improved after being hospitalised.
Other affected areas include Karengare in Kabale district, Mbarara town, Bugembe
town council near Jinja, Ibanda, Namutumba along Tirinyi road, Busesa in Iganga
district, Namulemba in Bugiri district and Queen Elizabeth National Park in
Kasese district. At Makerere University Kampala and Masaka town, two decorators
were found growing congress weed as flowers without knowing it is a dangerous
alien species. Witchdoctors also use the plant to invoke evil spirits,
Gumisiriza said.
Saturday Vision recently saw two herbal gardens in Bugembe where diviners have
planted the weed.
One of the diviners,
Despite looking beautiful and smelling sweet, congress weed is among the
world’s 10 most dangerous weeds. On contact with the human body, it causes a
burning effect that can peel off the skin. Human beings who inhale pollen from
the flowers can get an asthma-like illness or persistent flu-like symptoms.
Cattle that eat it produce foul-smelling milk or even die. Gumisiriza said the
weed can reduce maize yield by 40-60%. It can also reduce the amount of pasture
in a grazing area by 90%.
The congress weed is thought to have been introduced into Uganda from Mexico
through Ethiopia and Kenya. It accidentally got to Ethiopia through relief grain
imported from Mexico during the great famine that hit the Horn of Africa in the
mid 1980s. It is dispersed mainly by long distance trucks, rivers, water streams
and storm water (floods).
The Jinja district production and marketing officer, Dr. Stephen Kiwemba, was
shocked by how fast the weed multiplied in Bugembe.
“When we came here in December, the seedlings were not as many as you can now
see,” said Kiwemba.
The weed can grow to the height of an adult and produce tens of thousands of
seeds in one to two months. The seeds germinate easily but if the ground is not
moist, it can remain viable (able to germinate) for up to 20 years. “The
situation may not be as simple as we had earlier thought,” said Kiwemba. “We
are headed to decline in agricultural productivity, food insecurity and poverty
will set in as a result.”
Nalongo Zamu Mukoda, said the weed resembles another local herb known as buza.
She said they had turned to the new weed because the indigenous look-alike is
getting extinct.
So far, Kiwemba has organised a meeting in Bugembe to create awareness about the
weed. But despite mobilisation by LCs, the locals are reluctant to attack the
weed, except if it grows around their homes. A group of boda boda riders at
Bugembe told Saturday Vision that they could not stop their money-minting
routines to go uprooting the weed.
LC1 chief for Katende West in Budumbuli-Bugembe, Siraje Kisuule said for better
results the Government should provide funding to fight the menace.
“It is important to intervene today instead of waiting until the problem is
out of hand,” said Kisuule.
In Busia, the communities are organising to pluck off the weed and caution
children not to touch it.
Kiyemba points out that while such local efforts are useful, controlling the
weed requires a massive national programme. “The problem is that people are
not looking at it as an issue. But if we remain reluctant it will become a
bigger problem.”
Agriculture ministry officials agree with Kiyemba. According to Gumisiriza, the
ministry is planning to deal with the weed using chemical spraying, uprooting it
and bugs to kill the weed.
“We have prepared a programme to spray the weed in key areas. We have also
contacted Kenya to see how we can handle the weed in the no man’s land at
Busia border,” he said. “In the meantime, we are going to keep monitoring
and creating awareness about the dangers of the weed.”
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/674570
Biofertilizer from Parthenium
By NfN Network
Kalyani, March 9: The agronomists engaged in research works at Bidhan Chandra
Krishi Viswavidyalay on invasive weeds have found that Parthenium, which is one
of the most poisonous invasive weeds, can be used to make a high-quality
eco-friendly balanced bio fertilizer. The new research finding is set to add a
new dimension to the rural economy and to combat this deadly weed which play a
key role in loss of crops and cause ecological imbalances.
The agronomists have produced a ‘compost’ using non-flowering young
Parthenium plants, which is more effective than Vermicompost or any other
traditional composts. The agronomists feel that this so far the best way to
minimize population of parthenium.
Elated over findings the BCKV recently organized the first awareness programme
on invasive weed in Kalyani. It also organize training programme for the
farmers.
At present the ‘Parthenium compost’ is being used on trial basis at
different farms of the BCKV. A team of scientist headed by Professor Dr.
Ratikanta Ghosh of Department of Agronomy at present working for its further
development. When Dr. Ghosh asked said: “We owe the basic concept to NRCWS of
Jabalpur, which has been further modified and developed by our scientists.”
The scientists have used cow dung, soil, water with Parthenium plants in proper
proportions. All these are put in a pit, following which urea or rock phosphate
are sprinkled for rapid decomposition. Later Trichoderma viridi, a type of
fungus and layers loamy soil are added in the compost. It takes around four
months to complete the entire process of decomposition.
Professor Ghosh said: “Parthenium compost can be used in crops, vegetables and
in orchards”.” “Moreover, it has no harmful effects and except nitrogen it
has all the nutrients like Phosphorus, Potash, Calcium, and Magnesium more than
Vermicompost.”
http://newsfromnadia.blogspot.com/2009/03/bio-fertiliser-from-parthenium.html
Cockies offer to kill government weeds
Ren Lanzon | 8th March 2009
GRAZIERS and other landowners affected by parthenium weed spilling from State
Government-controlled land have volunteered to do the government's work in an
attempt to beat the weed pest.
Property owner Ross Cullen said landowners have staged two meetings since
Christmas over the parthenium weed problem which the government has ignored
despite requiring rural people to control the weed on their properties.
"Controlling parthenium weed has cost me thousands of dollars each year, and
that's not taking in the time and labour I have had to put in to meet the
government requirements," he said.
"I'm not the only one affected by it, and some of us are willing to do the
spraying job on the government land if it would only supply the chemicals to do
the job."
Mr Cullen said it was not impossible to eradicate the weed.
"I cleared my property of it for months, then the February 2008 rains came and
washed new seeds down Dan Dan Creek in the government owned land bringing a new
infestation."
He said the water flow affected about 9km of creek in his land but altogether it
has infested about 32km of creek on all the properties the creek passed through.
Mr Cullen said the residents' concerns were placed before the Member for
Gladstone Liz Cunningham at one of the meetings.
In Parliament Mrs Cunningham said although the Rural Lands Protection Act
compelled landowners to control parthenium weed, the act did not apply to
government-owned land controlled by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
and other government departments.
Residents had told her they would spray the government-owned land but they would
not be able to afford the chemicals.
"I believe that is a tremendous offer and one the government should take up,"
she said.
Another landowner, Bruce Chapman, said he had been battling with the government
about the weed infestation on its land for years,
He said the floods in February last year carried the weed seed from the
government land through properties not previously affected by parthenium.
Mr Chapman said the resultant growth caused a lot of anger among landowners.
He said the State Government demanded landholders comply with the noxious weed
act, but had written itself out of the legislation. "Obviously, what's good for
the goose is not good for the gander and the government can feel it does not
have to do anything."
http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/story/2009/03/08/cockies-offer-to-kill-gover\
nment-weeds/
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.
http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=11186
Sir,
My name is Shruti Rastogi working as a research scholar in the
University of Lucknow.i am working on the demographic attributes of
Zygogramma bicolorata, a bioagent of Parthenium weed. while searching
net i found you to be a radient worker working on this weed. i shall
be highely obliged if you are able to send me some latest related
articles or some pictures of this weed or of this beetle, as i am in
process to submit my thesis.
Hope for your kind consideration.
Thanking You
Shruti Rastogi
rastogi.shruti@...
Biocontrolling congress grass
Rohini Rangarajan
Agents to control this dreaded weed work well in labs, need to be
taken to fields
congress grass or parthenium, a native of tropical America, came to
India accidentally in 1955. A rapidly growing invasive species, this
grass competes well for nutrients and space and reproduces fast. One
of the world’s seven most notorious weeds, parthenium has already
taken over about five million hectares of this country’s land. Many
methods, ranging from manual uprooting, chemical herbicides to
biological control agents, have been proposed to limit the spread of
this uncontrollable variety of grass. Biocontrol agents are the most
preferred as they are inexpensive and cause few side-effects.
For full article please visit
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20090228&filename=news&sec_id\
=4&sid=10
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