Invasive alien weeds as bio-resource: A review

Abstract

Invasive alien weeds are non-native organisms that cause potential harm to the environment, economics and human health. Its ability to outcompete native species for space, water, nutrients, and other essential resources, adaptability to a variety of environmental conditions, absence of natural predators and parasites and prolific seed producing characteristics, once established it is very difficult to control or eliminate. Eradication through utilization is the present concept of management of invasive alien weeds. Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell, Parthenium hysterophorus L., Mikania micrantha Kunth, Chromolaena odorata (L.), Mimosa invisa Mart. Ex Colla and Lantana camara L. are the major invasive alien weeds of Kerala. The literature about the bio-utilization of these major invasive alien weeds is reviewed in this paper.