International Parthenium Research News [IPRN] Vol. 1 No.1 June 1, 2008

International Parthenium Research News is a free, global monthly newsletter on obnoxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus. It is published with the help of International Parthenium Research News Group [IPRNG]. 

Thanks to contributors for valuable contributions.

 << In this Issue >>

 Editorial

Parthenium Scientist of the Month

- Dr. M.Mahadevappa

Announcement

- Help may be extended to release Parthenium eating beetle.

- Upgrading IPRNG Directory

New Publications on Parthenium

Interesting Publications on Parthenium

Parthenium Related News across the Globe

- Rapid response needed for new Parthenium outbreaks

- Tiger reserve opens school to fight shrubs.

 Parthenium Pictures

- Parthenium in Lateritic wasteland of Indian state Chhattisgarh.

 Parthenium Research Notes

 Success Story

- Parthenium Management through Cassia sericea

 Parthenium Links

- Elimination of Parthenium

- Parthenium Abstracts

- Herbicide Resistant Weeds

- Invasive Alien Flora of India

 << Editorial >>

 After a long wait, the inaugural issue of International Parthenium Research News [IPRN] is now on-line. This is the world’s first newsletter on an obnoxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Thanks to all for making the dream of an exclusive news letter on Parthenium come true. Your suggestions and comments are welcome to improve the quality of this novel newsletter and make this endeavor successful and purposeful.

 Pankaj  Oudhia

 << Parthenium Scientist of the Month >>

 Dr. M. Mahadevappa

 http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=pdb&PdbID=66084

 He fought for survival against monstrous killer weed

 Ever any thought a puny weed could harm you? Now it would be the right time to know that some people have made it all safe for you. Born on August 4, 1937 to a farmer’s family, Madapura village, Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, Dr M Mahadevappa is known as much for his pioneering research in paddy varieties and hybrids as also for developing eco-friendly technology to suppress the growth of the much feared Parthenium weed, which is internationally accepted as being the most hazardous to both man and livestock. Among its many harmful effects are dermatitis and respiratory diseases. Almost every part of the plant except the root is reactive.

The wasteland weed Parthenium, also called congress weed and star weed, has been growing naturally for centuries in Mexico, Cuba, North and South America, the West- Indies, Australia, Taiwan, Southern China, the Pacific Island, east and south Africa and Canada until about 1977, Parthenium did not find any mention in the world’s worst weeds list. But within the last decade or so, it has leaped to become one of the seven most dreaded weeds anywhere in the world. In India only from the mid-50’s it is presumed to have been accidentally introduced in the State of Maharashtra. Incidentally it was first observed in Pune as a stray plant growing on rubbish heaps near the Agriculture Collage by Prof. HP Paranjape, a retired horticulturist. However, since then, it has spread out over the country, covering wastelands, railway yards, marshy patches, unused cultivable land, grasslands, and roadsides in abnormal densities. It is in the light of the above that Mahadevappa`s work assumes monumental importance.

 

Given his moorings, an interest in the agriculture science came naturally to Mahadevappa. He completed his bachelors, Masters and doctoral degrees in the 1960s. While he had always known that Parthenium was harmful to humans and livestock, his interest and curiosity were aroused during one of his regular visits to the Dharwad city. That was sometime in 1982-83 staying at a friend’s house near the railway station, he noticed small colonies of other plants growing around the Parthenium weed. The following year, the Parthenium decreased in population around such colonies, while the other plants multiplied. This pattern repeated the next year also. Fortuitously it struck to him that the other plant - a species of Cassia, was able to exert what is known in botanical terms as an Allelopathic impact. It hindered seed germination and suppressed the growth of the Parthenium.

The seeds of a ground breaking study were sown. The plant was taken for examination to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and identified as Cassia sericea species. His associate Dr Shyam Sundar Joshi was instrumental in getting this identified and also in furthering on some aspects. A research project was proposed and approved by the university, which put together a team to study different aspects of suppressing the growth of  Parthenium weed. Dr Mahadevappa, Dr Joshi and his team studied the leaf, seed and other plant part extracts of Cassia sericea and concluded that these parts of the weed produced certain Parthenium-suppressing chemicals. Cassia seeds were collected from Dharwad and planted in the Parthenium-infested areas of Bangalore—with amazing results in two to three years, the growth of Parthenium was controlled considerably. With these findings the search went beyond Cassia.

The doctor’s curiosity gave way to determination; to evolve an integrated approach with which to remove Parthenium from the face of Karnataka and other adjoining states. A few more plant species which had similar effects on Parthenium were also listed. Studies by scientists of Indian Institute of Horticultural research, Bangalore thoroughly examined the safety as well as role of Australian beetle- Zygogramma bicolorata and found it effective on field scale. In 1985, Dr Mahadevappa and his team studied on the control of Parthenium by promoting the growth of botanical agents, involving   the public and private organizations. It clearly demonstrated that only a cooperative approach, now called the Integrated Parthenium Weed .Management (IPWM), would stem this impertinent weed. Since Parthenium had been a native of Latin American countries, botanical “enemies” and insects had always accompanied its growth. But in India, it was comparatively new. Its growth became relentless due to the absence of natural biological restrictive agents. Contrary to earlier studies, it was observed that botanical agents were different for different areas.

But what message exactly did IPWM, the result of nearly two decades of intensive research emerged for adoption by the public? The maintenance of natural bio-diversity. In layman’s language, that would mean not disturbing existing flora. In place where cleaning and exposing the soil is unavoidable, Cassia species or other such proven botanical agents like Tephrosia purpurea, Stylosanthes scabra, Sida, Amaranthus spinosa, Mirabilis jalapa, croton sparsiflorus  and others could be planted and their growth promoted.. The project also involved watching out for rain and build up of Mexican beetles (Zygogramma bicolorata). When they become readily available in large numbers, they are to be released in infested areas. Where none of this is possible, manual removal has to be taken up. But persons getting into this job have to be extremely careful and not get affected, which is possible by choosing only those who are not allergic.. Chemical application should be the last resort.

Several papers by Dr. Mahadevappa on the weed have also been published worldwide and can be preserved as murals in the canvas of the obnoxious weed management. Doctor was invited in the late 80s to showcase his work at the Weeds Conference in Malaysia. He subsequently went to USA and Kenya in 1992 and 1993 respectively. His rather illustrious career has also seen a number of national and international awards. After serving as vice chancellor for two terms at the University of Agriculture Sciences, Dharwad, he completed a term as Chairman of the Agriculture Scientists Recruitment Board, GOI. To him also so goes the credit of having organized the First International Conference on Parthenium Management in October 1997.

His hard work has paid dividends. IPWM technology has suppressed the growth of Parthenium by nearly 50 to 80 percent in different parts of Karnataka. In southern Maharashtra, growth levels have come down by close to 60 to 65 percent in southern parts.. Bangalore is also some what free of the menace. The weed, however, cannot be tackled alone. “It needs a societal effort,” says the good doctor. His recommendation: Corporations, Municipal authorities, NGOs. Public organizations in each state and city must chalk out extensive strategies and intensive management programs both to educate the public about the availability the effective technology and strategies to be adopted to suppress this  dangerous weed.

<< Announcement >>

 Help may be extended to release Parthenium eating beetle.

 It is to bring into the notice of all the IPRNG members that if anybody wishes to release the bioagent in their locality, they may write a request letter on email to send the culture of beetle.  I shall send the same to them free of cost by speed post. Rainy season is approaching and it is the best time to release the beetle for its fast establishment in the area.     

Sushil Kumar
National Research Centre for Weed Science
Maharajpur, Adhartal, Jabalpur, India.
Email; sknrcws@gmail.com 

 [Thanks Dr. Sushil for this valuable announcement.]

 Upgrading IPRNG Directory

 I am in process of upgrading IPRNG (International Parthenium Research News
Group) Directory. Please help in search of Parthenium researchers
around the world.

http://www.iprng.org/

Names and addresses of senior researchers are already there. Their
feedback regarding new contact address, if any, can help me a lot. Please circulate
this message.

Pankaj Oudhia

 

Convener, IPRNG

<< New Publications on Parthenium >>

Dhileepan, K. (2007). Effectiveness of introduced biocontrol insects on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in Australia. Bulletin of Entomological Research (2001), 91: 167-176 Cambridge University Press. [Published online by Cambridge University Press 09Mar2007]

Lata, H., Garg, V.K. and Gupta, R.K. (2007). Removal of a basic dye from aqueous solution by adsorption using Parthenium hysterophorus: An agricultural waste. Dyes and Pigments.Volume 74, Issue 3, 2007, Pages 653-658.

Reddy,K.N., Bryson, C.T. and Burke, I.C. (2007). Ragweed Parthenium (Parthenium Hysterophorus) Control with Preemergence and Postemergence Herbicides. Weed Technology. Article: pp. 982–986

<< Interesting Publications on Parthenium >>

 Oudhia, P. (2008). Two Decades with Parthenium hysterophorus. http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleView&earticleId=3139&page=-2

 Hindi article having 27 chapters.

<< Parthenium Related News across the Globe >>

 Rapid response needed for new Parthenium outbreaks.

 http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/\
rapid-response-needed-for-new-parthenium-outbreaks/86068.aspx

 Tiger reserve opens school to fight shrubs.

 http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080523/jsp/jharkhand/story_9309170.jsp

<< Parthenium Research Notes >>

Contributions are welcomed. (Notes in 300 words)

<< Parthenium Pictures >>

(Links to pictures)

 Parthenium in Lateritic wasteland of Indian state Chhattisgarh.

 http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=pdb&Subject=parthenium&Caption=lateritic&SubjectWild=CO&Thumbnails=Only&CaptionWild=CO

 << Success Story >>

 Parthenium Management through Cassia sericea

 Efforts to control Parthenium growth in and around Bangalore city started by program for Parthenium elimination (PROPEL) in 1986-88. Initially, a few kilograms of Cassia sericea (CS) seeds were procured from Dharwad and sown in vacant   sites and waste lands in some parts of Bangalore city, through   voluntary organizations and individuals. In the subsequent years, the quantity of C. sericea seed obtained increased to quintals and sowing was done in larger areas excluding vacant sites. Because, the sites were either used for construction or dumped with debris, thereby coming in the way of establishment of C.   sericea.  From the year 1988-89, release of a beetle, Zygogramma   bicolorata was integrated with the sowing of C. sericea. In some places like Hebbal railway station, Arnruthahalli cross road (Bellary road), Jakkasandra and Sarakki layout, and the method has proved successful. In some areas like Indira Nagar, the results have been discouraging.  In highways like Bellary road, Tumkur road, Bannerghatta road, the method proved to be partially successful. For the first time, an intensive sowing of C. sericea was taken up during 1990, from May to July on most of the highways.

 Visit this link for complete story

 http://www.iprng.org/

<< Parthenium Links >>

 Elimination of Parthenium

 http://vignyanvismay.com/default_files/Page1945.htm

 Parthenium Abstracts

 http://www.cbit.uq.edu.au/parthenium/abstracts.html

 Herbicide Resistant Weeds 

http://www.weedscience.org/Case/Case.asp?ResistID=5238

 Invasive Alien Flora of India. 

http://www.gisinetwork.org/IndiaInvasivePlants/index.html

 +++++++++++++

 Address for correspondence: Pankaj Oudhia, SOPAM, 28-A, Geeta Nagar, Raipur, India.

Phone- 91-771-2253243

Mobile: 9827115642

 E-mail: pankajoudhia@gmail.com

 [IPRN content is protected by copyright. However items appearing in IPRN may be reprinted or quoted without permission, but only when IPRN is identified as the source.]