ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF Parthenium hysterophorus BY THE APPLICATION OF LEAF RESIDUE OF Xanthium strumarium

Abstract

A pot experiment at the research farm of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa during 2003 and 2004 revealed that the growth of Parthenium hysterophorus may be restricted by the application of grinded leaf residue of Xanthium strumarium at the rhizosphere. Among different treatments, maximum growth inhibition of Parthenium was observed with the treatment of 3.0% (w/w) Xanthium strumarium residue for all observation periods starting from 30 days after sowing(DAS) to 90 DAS. The inhibition was observed in all plant parts of Parthenium hysterophorus i.e. root, shoot, and leaf. The inhibition in emergence of seedlings of Parthenium was also recorded at 30 DAS. Significant inhibition in the growth of Parthenium hysterophorus was started to observe with treatment of 1.5% Xanthium strumarium residue. Therefore, the present study clearly indicates the potential eco-friendly management of the obnoxious weed, Parthenium hysterophorus. Such eco-friendly control of weeds will also indirectly help in biodiversity conservation of the local region.