Ecology and Use of Lantana camara in India

Abstract

In the Indian sub-continent Lantana has invaded vast tracts of dry-moist forests and other culturable wastelands, and has potentially altered biodiversity, landscape ecology and ecosystem services. It has invaded most Indian pasture lands (13.2 million ha) besides forest and fallow areas, and the cost of its control is estimated at US$ 70 per ha. This invasive weed stands out because of its rapid spread, intensity of infestation, allelopathy, opportunistic growth behaviour, reproductive biology traits and tenacious resistance to cutting and burning. This paper reviews the current knowledge on L. camara with particular focus on its ecological attributes such as biomass productivity, reproductive biology, invasiveness, allelopathy, eradication measures and economic uses reported from India. Based on the literature review it can be pointed out that the positive impacts and economic uses of Lantana outweigh its negative impacts and require further studies on cost-benefit considerations for decision making for its eradication and management.

Landscape Performance, Flowering, and Female Fertility of Eight Trailing Lantana Varieties Grown in Central and Northern Florida

“…In prior work, Australian trailing lantana was determined to be tetraploid, with moderately high pollen stainability; while all tested U.S. varieties were determined to be triploid, with little if any stainable pollen (Steppe et al, 2019). It is known that pollination of the closely related L. camara consists of both selfand cross-pollination (Negi et al, 2019). To our knowledge, the Australian accession has not been introduced to the United States.…”

“…Also, soil from central Florida plots had a slightly higher pH and organic matter than soil from north Florida plots. Seed germination of a closely related invasive species, L. camara, is known to be stimulated by warm temperatures, exposure to light, and high soil moisture (Negi et al, 2019). While post germination viability tests were not performed for this portion of the study, it is probable that some seeds may have been physiologically dormant.…”

Alarming spread of invasive weeds: A qualitative assessment and scope for sustainable weed biomass utilization

“…Otherwise, the large biomass of invasive weeds needs to be utilized properly according to the local requirements. For instance, obtaining natural cellulosic fibers from the stem of Ipomoea staphylina (Santhanam et al, 2016); Lantana camara sticks for making furnitures, artifacts and baskets (Negi et al, 2019); Lantana camara and Parthenium hysterophorus for vermicomposting (Devi and Khwairakpam, 2020a;Hussain et al, 2016a).…”

“…For controlling the invasive weeds, mechanical, chemical and biological methods have been used where each method is having its own drawbacks and requires heavy investment (Sudhakar Reddy et al, 2008). As far as the biological control methods are concerned, utilization of weed biomass for compost and vermicompost preparation has been suggested (Negi et al, 2019;Saha et al, 2018). In the present qualitative study, major invasive alien weeds in Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India, their threat to biodiversity and ecosystem balance along with the possible role of vermicomposting in utilizing invasive weed biomass have been discussed.…”

Study of Invasive Plant Species Distribution in Warangal City, Telangana, India

“…Ngozi et al33 reviewed phytochemistry and medicinal uses and pharmacognostic properties of Mesosphaerum suaveolens, to proving it use in many ways. Lantana camara is known for its allelopathy, toxicity, trigger forest fires, besides this negative impacts Negi et al34 highlighted its uses in biomass production, soil and water conservation, substituent for use as bio-energy and for insect resistant property. Pitchaiya et al35 extracted porous graphitic carbon material from the biochar of Echhironia crassipes to prepare Perovskite Photovoltaic devices at low cost.…”