Biological Warfare Against Parthenium Intensified
[Source : Weed News, National Research Center for Weed Science, Jabalpur Vol. 1 No. 4, Oct-Dec. 2001]

AA war of a different kind is being fought by the National Research Centre for Weed Science (NRCWS) at Jabalpur these days against allergy causing parthenium weed popularly known as congress grass or gajar ghas. The "missile" being used to fight the menace is Mexican beetle Zygogramma bicolorata.

Apart from losses to agricultural, forestry and horticultural crops, it also causes many health problems to man and livestock. It has been experienced that management of parthenium by chemical methods is not feasible owing to its abundant occurrence in no-man's land. Problems of management are compounded due to its capacity to germinate throughout the year in a wide range of environment and soil, huge seed production, light weight of seeds and wide spread occurrence. Public awareness against this weed is very important. Therefore, it needs to have more pro-active approach to manage this weed. Hence, an awareness campaign was initiated in and around Jabalpur by the centre involving various Government organizations, NGO's Colony residents, School managements and Gram panchayats during July to September, 2001.

At the meeting places, thousands of beetles were released in the presence of local residents. Methods of mass production of beetles were also demonstrated. The culture of Z. bicolorata may be obtained from NRCWS free of cost on request. Cheap and easy methods of mass rearing of the beetle are also being developed at the centre. After seeing the overwhelming response of the beetle, many people contacted our centre and were provided beetles free of cost. This is just a beginning as biological control relatively takes more time for complete success. The effect of released beetle will be monitored in due course of time. It has also been planned to test this beetle under All - India Co-ordinated Research Programme  on Weed Control which has 22 co-ordinating centres in different agro-ecological regions of the country.

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