Parthenium hysterophorus L.: An Overview of Management and Beneficial Aspects

Abstract

The poisonous and invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus L., also referred to as "famine weed" or "congress grass," is highly dangerous for human health, agriculture, and biodiversity. This plant is well known for its aggressive growth and allelopathic qualities, which prevent natural vegetation and good crops from growing. An overview of the benefits and treatment of Parthenium hysterophorus is given in this abstract. Many techniques, including mechanical removal, chemical herbicides, biological control agents, and cultural practices, are used to combat this weed. To successfully control its spread, integrated techniques are frequently advised. Parthenium hysterophorus has drawbacks, yet it also has some positive qualities. It has therapeutic qualities, and research indicates that it may be used in phytoremediation and the synthesis of biofuel. The main goal is to draw attention to how critical it is to manage Parthenium hysterophorus properly while investigating its possible benefits, underscoring the necessity of long-term, all-encompassing solutions to deal with this environmental threat.

Biocontrol measures to manage Parthenium hysterophorus: Current paradigms, scope and relevance

“…The weeds have spread like wildfire in India since 1956 (Kaur et al, 2014). It takes up more than 5 million acres of the nation's land (Bhateria, 2015;Dheer et al, 2023). Parthenium is a native of Central-South America, Southern North America, Central America and the West Indies.…”