PARTHENIUM : The Congress Grass

Parthenium is a weed which is botanically known as Parthenium hysterophorous. It
is native to Tropical America. It was accidently introduced in India in the year
1956. Parthenium is an annual herb which is locally known as Congress Grass or
the Gajjar grass.

Plants of Parthenium have deep tap root system and multibranched erect shoot
system. Stems become woody on maturity.

http://mpmishra.blogspot.com/2009/07/parthenium-congress-grass.html

Govt readies farmers to tackle rodent menace

On the sidelines of a rodent management campaign in Niuland, district
agriculture officer, Nguzonyi Wetsa, today advised participants to destroy the
poisonous ‘Parthenium’ weed growing around the area. Wetsa said that the
plant is very poisonous and can cause several diseases like eczema, asthma and
dermatitis. Not only are human beings affected, but the weed has also caused
dermatitis in animals like cows and goats. When they eat the weed, their milk
becomes bitter and drinking it for long time can cause poisoning. The weed has
become a threat to the environment and biodiversity and adversely affects the
germination and growth of several crops.

http://www.morungexpress.com/local/28478.html

Parthenium weed eradication

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR:
Article published on 7/12/2009 12:31:42 AM IST


Department of Agriculture, Dimapur district organized an eradication campaign of
parthenium, a poisonous weed, along NH-39 from Purana Bazar till Piphema on
Saturday with District Agriculture Officer (DAO) N Wetsah, Dimapur and his
colleagues supervising the programme.
Meanwhile Assistant Plant Pathologist, Dimapur, Bendanglila, informed that the
species Parthenium hysterophorus, also known as congress weeds or congress
grass, has become a common weed in Taiwan, Australia and parts of Africa. She
informed that in some areas, outbreaks have been of almost epidemic proportions,
impacting crop production, livestock and human health. It was imported into
India along with the PL 480 Mexican wheat seeds in the 1950s, she said. The weed
has since grown into uncontrollable proportions invading million of hectares of
uncultivated wastelands, roadsides, railway tracks, etc.
It may be mentioned that scientists had describe it as a “poisonous, allergic
and aggressive weed posing a serious threat to human beings and livestock.”
The presence of parthenium in cropped lands resulted in yield reduction up to 40
per cent. It is also responsible for bitter milk disease in livestock fed on
grass mixed with parthenium. Contact with this plant causes dermatitis and
respiratory malfunction in humans, dermatitis in cattle and domestic animals,
due to the presence of toxin Parthenin. After much research, Mexican beetles
(zygogramma bicolorata) were considered a “safe” bio-control agent with both
the adults and larvae capable of feeding on the parthenium leaves thus checking
the plant growth and flower production.

http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMTQ5NjI%3D-B%2BWog\
XfAsiI%3D

Dear Dr. Dhileepan

I would be interested in joining the group as I have run successful
"Bio-intensive management of Parthenium on non-cultivable land." and
developed Pusa Protocol for Parthenium Management-2008, using Zygogramma
bicolorata sand Kochea indica as main biocontrol agent at New Delhi.
Regards
RD Gautam
Professor of Entomology and Incharge, Biological Control Laboratory
Indian agricultural research Institute, New Delhi, India


--- In IPRNG@..., "Pankaj Oudhia" <pankajoudhia@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> An working group on 'Biological Control and Management of Parthenium'
is being proposed under the IOBC (International Organisation for
Biological Control).
>
> Please indicate if you and any others you know of working on
parthenium management and biological control, would be interested in
becoming a member of the working group. An application is being prepared
for submission to IOBC. For more details on IOBC visit:
http://www.unipa.it/iobc/view.php
>
> Please forward this email to anyone you think would be interested in
parthenium research.
>
>
________________________________________________________________________\
____
> Proposed title of working group: Biological Control and Management of
Parthenium
>
> Proposed Convenor(s): K. Dhileepan, Wondi Mersie, Lorraine Strathie,
and  Rangaswamy Muniappan
>
> General aim of proposed working group: The general aim of this working
group is to promote the use of sustainable, environmentally safe,
economic ally feasible, and socially acceptable control methods of
Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
>
>
________________________________________________________________________\
______
>
> Thanks & regards
> Dhileepan
>
> Dr K. Dhileepan
> Principal Entomologist
> Alan Fletcher Research Station
> Biosecurity Queensland
> Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries
> Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation
> Sherwood, Qld 4075, Australia
> Tel: 61-7-33750721
> Fax: 61-7-33796815
> Email: k.dhileepan@...
>

Hi all,

An working group on 'Biological Control and Management of Parthenium' is being
proposed under the IOBC (International Organisation for Biological Control).

Please indicate if you and any others you know of working on parthenium
management and biological control, would be interested in becoming a member of
the working group. An application is being prepared for submission to IOBC. For
more details on IOBC visit: http://www.unipa.it/iobc/view.php

Please forward this email to anyone you think would be interested in parthenium
research.

____________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title of working group: Biological Control and Management of Parthenium

Proposed Convenor(s): K. Dhileepan, Wondi Mersie, Lorraine Strathie, and 
Rangaswamy Muniappan

General aim of proposed working group: The general aim of this working group is
to promote the use of sustainable, environmentally safe, economic ally feasible,
and socially acceptable control methods of Parthenium hysterophorus L.
(Asteraceae) in Africa, Asia, and Australia.

______________________________________________________________________________

Thanks & regards
Dhileepan

Dr K. Dhileepan
Principal Entomologist
Alan Fletcher Research Station
Biosecurity Queensland
Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries
Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation
Sherwood, Qld 4075, Australia
Tel: 61-7-33750721
Fax: 61-7-33796815
Email: k.dhileepan@...

Free ride at Bridge Flats over

Krystal Hansen | 11th June 2009

THE fences going up around Bridge Flats signify the end of an era for motorbike
riders across the Highlands.

Iconic property Bridge Flats is being established as a protected area by
landowners and Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Co-operative.

The property has been in the Campbell family for more than 100 years and CHRRUP
is assisting the family to return the land to its natural state through funding
for a fencing project.

“Funding for this project will be provided by the Federal and State
Governments through the Transitional Regional Investment Strategy,” explained
CHRRUP field officer Bronwyn Roberts.

“Fencing has already started on a 3km stretch of the Lochlees Road, through to
the Nogoa River, and when completed, the area will be a very special refuge for
our local fauna.”

Owner John Campbell has allowed local riders the use of his land over the years,
but damage, litter and bad behaviour has seen an end to that generosity in order
to let the land recover.

“We're letting it bring itself back,” explained Mr Campbell.

“(I didn't mind) one or two tracks through the area but the tracks have been
spreading through the property.

“It's the same as someone riding through your front yard.

“Some of the problem is people chasing cattle through the land.”

Toni Vanderpool and her husband Peter have been riding at Bridge Flats for
almost 12 years and are sad to see it go, but understand and respect Mr
Campbell's decision.

“We've known all along it was private land and respected it,” said Mrs
Vanderpool.

“People have left rubbish there for years. We end up bringing back more
rubbish than we took out.”

Other damage to the area Mrs Vanderpool has seen or heard of includes cutting of
fences, riders chasing cattle, burnt out car bodies and tracks going through
gates.

Mrs Vanderpool and her family preferred riding on the property over joining the
local motocross club.

“What made Bridge Flats ideal is that we're not a competitive family,” she
said.

“We didn't want to ride around in circles, so it was perfect.

“I don't know where to take my children from now on.”

Mrs Vanderpool also had a message for Mr Campbell.

“I'd say thanks and express how much we appreciated it,” she said.

“Without it we didn't have anywhere else to go.

“I'm impressed he's put up with it this long.”

CHRRUP's Bronwyn Roberts added the paddock was an important example of
endangered native vegetation, and a valuable habitat for animals and reptiles.

“The paddock has never been cleared, and is only lightly stocked, so it is a
highly significant remnant of endangered Brigalow community,” she said.

“However, there is a big risk of erosion damage, and disruption to wildlife
caused by an increasing number of motorbike riders.

“The owners are also concerned about campers leaving litter and rubbish,
including old cars and broken bottles, which are being dumped in the area.

“This is a real problem for native animals and cattle, as well as posing a
fire hazard in the heavily wooded area.

“All the traffic through the paddock and up and down the river bank also adds
to the spread of toxic weeds, such as parkinsonia and parthenium.”

CHRRUP received advice from the Department of Environment and Resource
Management confirming the significance of the area.

The land provides an excellent fauna habitat along the Nogoa River and the
alluvial woodlands which provide shelter and food sources for many different
species of birds, reptiles, insects and mammals including koalas, sugar gliders
and possums.

http://www.cqnews.com.au/story/2009/06/11/the-free-ride-is-over-time-for-bridge-\
flats-to-hea/

Doctors concerned over poisonous bushes

SILIGURI, 8 JUNE: Expressing concern over the ‘unimpeded’ growth of the
poisonous parthenium bushes within North Bengal Medical College and Hospital,
several doctors asked the authority to take steps to weed them out.
Speaking on the matter, the former Darjeeling district chief medical officer
(health), Dr TN Chattoraj said that a worldwide debate was taking place on the
hazardous effect of the poisonous plants. “These bushes cause severe
dermatological problems to the human body. Yet, surprisingly enough, the NBMCH
compound has a superabundance of these bushes. The medical college authority
should take prompt steps to weed them out,” Dr Chattoraj demanded.
Dr SK Das, the secretary of a voluntary organization associated with NBMCH, said
that they had placed a joint weeding out proposal to the hospital authority
several times. “Yet the authority has not come out of its stupor. There is
incontrovertible medical evidence that these bushes cause eczema and other
related skin ailments. These are almost incurable. The indifference on the part
of the authority of the premier health institute of the region is simply
inexplicable,” Dr Das complained.
The president of the NBMCH Junior Doctors’ Council, Dr Bhaskar Ray, said that
his organization along with the medical college students’ union had repeatedly
drawn the attention of the authority to the parthenium menace within the
complex. “We expect more seriousness from the NBMCH authority vis-a-vis this
hazardous overgrowth,” Dr Ray said.
Sharing the concern expressed over the matter, the NBMCH principal Dr Udayan
Ganguly said they were aware of the menace. “We arrange for weeding out
programmes all year round, particularly at the onset of monsoon,” Dr Ganguly
assured. ;SNS

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=10&theme=&usrsess=1&id=257277

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

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

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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=

Institute says invasive plant varieties threaten ecosystem

Among the invasive plant varieties that are not friendly for the Ethiopian
ecology are parthenium hysterophourus, prosopis juliflora, Eichornia crassipes
and Lantana camara, he added.

http://www.waltainfo.com/walnew/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10733&\
Itemid=45

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 Group Members,

      Founder of Discover Life Dr.John Pickering has added two links in his
database.

http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Parthenium+hysterophorus

and

http://www.discoverlife.org/nh/tx/INVASIVES


We are in process of adding links to Discover Life through IPRNG.org website.


Pankaj Oudhia

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

Medicinal and Aromatic plants marketing group- Marketingmaap is active again.

http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/marketingmaap/

To join this group, send request at

marketingmaap-subscribe@...


Pankaj Oudhia

http://knol.google.com/k/pankaj-oudhia/pankaj-oudhia/3nerdtj3s9l79/1#

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

 
Dear Rana

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
>
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Hello,

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Regards,

pankajoudhia <pankajoudhia@...>

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)