Distribution and Abundance of <i>Parthenium hysterophorus</i> L. in Metekel Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a harmful invasive weed to plant biodiversity and human health. It is native to American tropics and first introduced to Ethiopia in the 1970s. Today, it is widely distributed across the country and severely affecting the biodiversity, crop, and animal production in the country. In the Metekel Zone, there was no report on its distribution and impacts so far. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the distribution and abundance of the plant in the zone. The distribution and abundance data of the weed were recorded at five km intervals following all accessible roads of the zone. The result reveals that P. hysterophorus L. was less distributed in the area with a 4.95% frequency. However, it was found abundantly growing at roadsides, wastelands, around habitation, market place, and around Zeghibridge where it can rapidly spread to most economical lands like the arable and grazing lands. Moreover, it has aggressively invaded a nursery site, which enables the weed to enter agricultural fields directly. This suggests that the weed is on a fast move to agricultural lands in the zone. The regular active development activities such as agricultural investment, construction of roads, and factories are presumed to promote its spread. Therefore, a decisive and timely decision is needed to mitigate the weed when it is still sparse and small.

Abundance and impact of Parthenium hysterophorus L., an alien invasive herb on plant species diversity in invaded areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

“…Thus, water from vehicle washing could have spread and facilitated the seed germination of this noxious weed. The study findings are in line with CLIMEX simulation results that recorded P. hysterophorus in drainage trenches, dumpsites, abandoned buildings, construction sites, residential areas, rangelands and crop fields (Wabuyele et al, 2014 ;Horo et al, 2020). The results also agree with a report from the distribution survey made in Nepal, where P. hysterophorus dispersal was directly associated with vehicle movements (Shrestha et al, 2019).…”

“…An amount of 10-50% of P. hysterophorus in the animals' fodder kills livestock and buffaloes (Sahrawat et al, 2018). P. hysterophorus' invasion reduces plant species diversity within national parks (Etana et al, 2015) which propels game animals to search for food beyond park boundaries, creating food insecurity in neighbouring communities (Abdulkerim-Ute and Legesse, 2016;Horo et al, 2020).…”

Ecological Traits and Socio-Economic Impacts of the Alien Invader Weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. in South Africa’s Rangeland Ecosystems: A Review

“…Parthenium hysterophorus is of great concern among the invasive alien plant species identified in South Africa. It is considered one of the worst weeds responsible for causing several ecological and agricultural problems, such as the loss of crop productivity, fodder scarcity, health problems for human beings and livestock, and biodiversity depletion [66,67,76]. Parthenium is progressively spreading in the country and covering vast areas in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, as well as the North-West, Limpopo, and Gauteng Provinces (Figure 3), resulting in a negative impact on crop production, native biodiversity, livestock feed supply, and the health of the local people.…”