Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Syn. Tanacetum parthenium (L) Bernh;
Chrysanthemum parthenium Pers.; Matricaria parthenium L, M. parthenoides, M.
carpensis, M. eximia Hort., M. odorata Lam; Pyrethrum parthenium Smith) popularly known
as Congress weed. Carrot weed. Star weed. Fever few, White top, Chatak Chandani,
Bitter weed, Ramphool, Gajarghas, believed tor have entered India accidentaly in
mid fifties, is one of the most feared weed species (Rao, 1956). Adverse effects
of Parthenium not only on human beings but also on animal health have been well
documented. It is known to cause asthama, bronchitis, dermatitis and hay fever in man and
livestock. The chemical analysis has indicated that all the plant parts including
trichomes and pollen contain toxins called sesquiterpene lactones. The major components
of toxic being 'parthenin' and other phenolic acids such as caffeic acid, vanillic
acid, anisic acid, p-anisic acid, chlorogenic acid and parahydroxy benzoic acid are
lethal to human beings and animals. (Mahadevappa, 1997; Oudhia, 1998). In ancient Indian
literatures, it is written that every plant on this earth is useful for human
beings, animals and also for other plants (Oudhia, 1999 a, b and c). Although
Parthenium is considered as toxic plant but many allelopathic, medicinal, (Oudhia
and Tripathi, 1998a; Oudhia et al., 1997 a and b) and industrial (Sastri and
Kavathekar, 1990) uses have been well documented in literatures.
(1) Allelopathic properties of Parthenium
The term Allelopathy, derived from two Greek words Allelon means each other and
Pathos means to suffer i.e., the injurious effects of one upon another. However,
Molisch (1937) coined this term which refers to all biochemical interactions (stimulatory
and inhibitory) among plants, including micro-organisms. It represents the
plant against plant aspect of the broader field of chemical ecology. Some authors
have used the term in a more restricted sences to describe only the harmful
effect of one higher plant upon another. Allelochemicals which inhibited the
growth of some species at certain concentrations may stimulate the growth of
same or different species at lower concentrations (Narwal, 1994). Allelopathy is
relatively a new branch of science (Lal and Oudhia, 1999). With the help of allelopathy,
weed-crop, crop- weed, crop-crop and weed-weed interactions can easily be explained. Under
field conditions weed infestation is one of the major factors responsible for yield
reduction in crops. Historically, most investigators have attributed these losses to
various forms of competition between the weeds and crops and allelopathic
interactions between them were not considered. However, findings after 1950's have
shown that allelopathic interactions between the crops and weeds were also partly
responsible for such losses in crop yields. It has been established that allelopathy could
be used to increase crop production, to reduce crop production expenses and to diminish
the current reliance on synthetic agrochemicals that degrade the environmental quality.
The strategies to capitalize on allelopathy may be (a) avoidance of negative impacts, (b)
exploitation of stimulatory effects, ( c) management and development of allelochemicals as
herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, fungicides and growth regulators, and (e)
combinations of these approaches. Several scientists have speculated such opportunities to
utilize allelopathy and some of these goals are feasible to achieve. Many studies
have been conducted by SOPAM Raipur to known, seedling vigour, growth and pest
management of many popular agricultural crops like rice, wheat, maize,
groundnut L etc. and these studies revealed that all weeds are not
harmful and also beneficial extracts of parthenium can be utilized for crop production
(Oudhia and Tripathi, 1999a)
Practical Application of SOPAM's Research Findings
Raipur based NGO, Society for Parthenium Management (SOPAM) is on way of using the
recommendations and research findings related to Parthenium utilization through
ecofriendly allelopathic approaches. As you know, Chhattisgarh. is declared as world's
first Herbal state. The area under new medicinal and aromatic crops is increasing very
rapidly in Chhattisgarh. Today over 20 medicinal and aromatic crops are under cultivation
in fairly large areas. Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus) also known as kasturibhendi,
muskdana etc. is among these new crops. It an important aromatic crop. The seeds of this
crop are the source of ambrette oil of commerce and is in much demand in purfurmery,
cosmetic and agarbathi industries. Besides, it is also used for flavouring chewing
tobacco, tea products and in various medicines. In Chhattisgarh, Ambrette is grown as
Kharif crop. The laboratory, pot and field experiments conducted by the scientists of
SOPAM revealed that the aqueous extract of Parthenium can be used for presowing soaking
treatment of Ambrette seeds. In Ambrette, germination is a big problem. Out of 40 extracts
and leachate prepared from different weeds including parthenium, Parthenium leaf extract
was found safe and beneficial. As any part of Ambrette is not used for edible purpose,
SOPAM decided to use this research finding in farmers field. The field level experiment
was laid out in 1999. After the demonstration this has became a common practice among
Ambrette growers. Farmers collect the fresh leaves of parthenium (before flowering) and
dip it in water in ratio of 1:10 (Weed material and water respectively) over night. Next
day, seeds are soaked in this extract for 12 hours. of parthenium extract, saves the
cost of fungicides, stimulate the germination increases seed hardiness and promote early
vigour. In medicinal and aromatic crops use of agrochemicals are not allowed. Chhattisgarh
herb growers have found parthenium leaf extract a promising alternative. In standing crop
as repellent this extract it applied on crop with cow dung and cow urine solution. This
success story suggest that there is a strong need to narrow the distance between the lab
and land and to change the general view that weeds are always harmful.
Seeing the success of Parthenium leaf extract on Ambrette crop, SOPAM decided to promote
the crude method rather than the complicated method in which the extracts and
leachates are kept in regulated temperature, identification and isolation of
allelochemicals are performed etc. This is very time taking and expensive approach.
One can understand the difference in crude and complicated methods with the example of
Ayurved and Allopathy systems of medicine. In Ayurved whole part is used for treatment
(for example in case of Sarpgandha) but in Allopathy reserpine (natural chemical from
sarpgandha) is used for treatment. It is a bitter fact that many side effects
of reserpine have been reported but as whole part even a single side effect has not been
reported. For adoption of crude method there are many practical problems. Handling
of parthenium plant for preparation of extract or leachate is one of them. In
Chhattisgarh, Ambrette growers are aware enough and they know the harmful effects of
Parthenium on human health, hence they take full precaution during collectioin of leaves.
For success of ecofriendly allelopathic approaches in case of parthenium management,
it is essential to allot the work on particular crop to specific research centres. It is
common observation that very few allelopath are working on one aspect or one crop ( or on
one particular weed). Secondaly, in the experiments at Research Centres, NGO's research
lab, and private companies it is necessary to
plines. The target should be to search extract that can be use for crop growth promotion
as well as pest management.
(II) Medicinal Properties of Parthenium
The word Parthenium is derived from Latin word Parthenice: ancient name suggesting
reputed medicinal merits (Bailey, 1960). John Lindley (1838) has written in his book
titled 'Flora medica' that "The whole plant is bitter and strong-scented, reckoned
tonic, stimulating and anti-hysteric. It was once a popular remedy in ague. Its
odour is said to be peculiarly disagreeable to bees and that insects may be easily kept at
a distance by carrying a handful of the flower heads. "Parthenium is reputed
Homoeoptathic drug. Homoeopathic system of medicine is based on "Similia Similibus
Curentur" means "Let likes be cured by likes" (lyer, 1990). In Homoeopathy,
it is believed that symptoms produced by any plant can be cured by using Homoeopathic drug
prepared from same plant (Ferrington, 1980). In this way, the allergies caused by
Parthenium can be treated by Homoeopathic drug prepared from Parthenium. The possibilities
of utilizing common Kharif weeds (including Parthenium) for preparing Homoeopathic
drug in order to provide an additional income to the farmers have been well disussed by
Oudhia and Tripathi, 1998b. Hamilton (1852) has written in his book "The Flora
Homoeopathica' that Parthenium is not mentioned by the Arabian physicians. The
Finlanders use an infusion of it in consumptive cases. It is neither good for meat and
medicine, but is commended against the infirmities of the mother, seeing all
stinking things are good against those diseases. It also causeth blisters on the hands of
weeders and reapers." In the same book it is also mentioned that "Culpeper, in
his Complete English Physician, gives the following curious account" 'Venus
commands this herb, and has commended it to succour her sister, and to be a general
strengthener of wombs, and remedy such infirmities as a careless midwife has there
caused.' It is also, according to the same author, liberally. In Homoeopathy, whole plant,
gathered when it flower, is used for preparing drug. The mother tincture is obtained by
expressing the juices of the whole plant, gathered fresh and mixing it with twenty
parts of alchohal (Hamilton, 1852).
In book 'Dictionary of Economic Plants in India' Parthenium hysterophorusv. is described
as weed found in Poona and is reported to be used as tonic, febrifuge and
emmenagogue. The decoction of root is useful in dysentry (Singh et al., 1996). Mew
et al. (1982) demonstrated that sublethal doses of parthenin exhibited antitumour
activity in mice and that the drug could either cure mice completely or increase their
survival time after they had been injected with cancer cells. Parthenium is also
reported as promising remedy against hepatic amoebiasis (Sharma and Bhutani, 1988).
South American Indians uses the decoction of roots to cure ambiotic dysentry (Uphof,
1959), whereas parthenin, a toxin of Parthenium, is found pharmacologically active
against neuralgia and certian types of rheumatism (Dominguez and Sierra, 1970). In
book titled 'Compendium of Indian Medicinal Plants' by Rastogi and Mehrotra, 1991
Parthenium hysterophorus is described as medicinal plant and reported that parthenin
induced dose-dependent damage to human leucocyte chromosomes in vitro. It also
induced micronuclei formation in polychromatic erythrocytes of mice. In the
Caribbean and Central America Parthenium is used as folk remedy (Navie et al.,
1996). It is applied externally on skin disorders and decoction of the plant is
often taken internally as a remedy for a wide variety of ailments (Dominguez and
Sierra, 1970, Morton, 1981). In Chhattisgarh, the traditional healers have started
new experiments on parthenium utilization as herbal drug. The Bastar women have
found the dried Parthenium leave effective against storage grain pest just
like neem and nirgundi leaves. In Jamaica, the decoction is used as a Flea-repellent
both for dogs and other animals (Morton, 1981). Another species common name Guayule) is
known as very useful possible petroplants. Stem of this plant yields a rubber, which can
be substituted for that of Hevea for articles, such as tyres, foot wear, belting and
hose, A two-year old plant produced alteast 10% rubber by dry weight and can be
increased with chemical stimulants at the early stages upto 300%. Leaf yields an
essential oil (Sastry and Kavathekar, 1990).
The above mentioned uses of Parthenium clearly indicate that at present, although
Parthenium is considered as unwanted plant, but as its new uses are coming at very
rapidly, it will become a boon for the human beings, animals and crops, in future.'
These reported uses of Parthenium clearly indicates that there is a strong need to
popularize these uses among peoples specially in Parthenium infested areas. Parthenium is
introduced in India during late fifties. As mentioned earlier, the ethnobotanical surveys
conducted at Parthenium infested areas showed that the natives have started using
Parthenium for different purposes. It is positive sign that the Indian traditional healers
are also showing interest in this alien weed. By popularising these uses, we can get rid
from this obnoxious weed. The example of Ipomoea carnea is a promising example in this
context. Ipomoea was introduced in India as green manure crop but later it has became
problematic weed. Living with Ipomoea, from many decades now Indians have discovered and
developed many uses of this weed and in most of the area, it is loosing the status of
weed. The same will be the future of parthenium, if his approach is adopted. As parthenium
is allergy causing weed, care must be needed in the process of utilization. This problem
can be solved by educating the common people about the harms of this weed. The surveys
conducted by the author in Parthenium infested areas revealed that instead of lack of
awareness programme, the native are well aware of the harmful effects. This is due to
their daily interactions with this harmful weed.
Suggestions
The above suggests that there is
1. Encourage the research on parthenium utilization.
2. Evaluate the efficacy of research findings at farmer's fields.
3. Emphasise on the advanced research on this unique aspect.
4. Establish infrastructure to develop advanced but farmer's friendly simple and effective
methods.
At last, we can say that the target of "Control through Utilization" can be
achieved through positive thinking and with the help of joint efforts of scientists,
farmers, researchers, governmental and non-governmental agencies.
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(Concept Proposal presented at Brain storming session held on 29th Aug. 2002 in Department
of Biotechnology, (GOI), New Delhi, - for evolving a Nation wide Network for the
management of Parthenium through an integrated approach.)
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