Weed Parthenium Hysterophorus Research Articles

Occurrence, identification and transmission of the phytoplasma associated with tomato big bud disease and identification of its vector and weed host in Pakistan

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants showing stunting, big bud, leaves yellowing or reddening and witches’-broom symptoms were observed since 2009 in Pakistan. A weed Parthenium hysterophorus grown in and around tomato fields also exhibited witches’-broom like symptoms. Fluorescence light microscopy of hand-cut stem stalk sections treated with Dienes’ stain showed blue areas in the phloem region of both tomato and P. hysterophorus symptomatic plants that indicated the association of phytoplasma with the complex. Amplification of 1.2 kb 16S rDNA fragment in nested PCR confirmed that the symptomatic tomato and P. hysterophorus plants are infected by a phytoplasma. Partial sequencing of 16S rRNA (GenBank accession: LT671581 and LT671583) and virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism confirmed that the phytoplasma associated with both plant species had the greatest homology to 16SrII-D subgroup. Disease was successfully transmitted by grafting and leafhopper Orosius albicinctus in tomato plants. This is the first report of natural occurrence of 16SrII-D phytoplasma in tomatoes and a weed P. hysterophorus in Pakistan.

Integrated use of biological approaches provides effective control of parthenium weed

ABSTRACTParthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.; Asteraceae) is an invasive weed species in agro-ecosystems. It causes huge losses to native biodiversity and agricultural productivity. This study was conducted to assess the combined effect of a leaf-feeding beetle, (Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister; Chrysomelidae) and suppressive plant species, bull Mitchell grass (Astrebella squrossa C.E. Hubb.; Poaceae) or butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.; Fabaceae) on parthenium weed under shade house conditions. The suppressive plant species significantly reduced the parthenium weed height (16%), biomass (29%) and seed production (42%), in the absence of Z. bicolorata. However, this suppressive ability was further enhanced in the presence of Z. bicolorata. The combined effect of the suppressive plant species and Z. bicolorata further reduced the parthenium weed height (46%), biomass (66%) and seed production (95%). The combination also had a significant negative effect upon seed fill, decreasing the reproductive output of the current generation. The presence of Z. bicolorata also had positive effect on the biomass (10%) and plant height (11%) of both suppressive species. So, the combined use of suppressive plant species and the biological control agent suppressed parthenium weed more effectively than their sole use. Such integrated approaches should be prioritized for future management of parthenium weed.

Relative phytotoxicity of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) residues on the seedling growth of a range of Australian native and introduced species

The invasive herbaceous species Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as parthenium weed has rapidly become a significant weed in more than 30 countries. Parthenium weed litter taken from the introduced biotypes was relatively more phytotoxic than that taken from biotypes coming from the native range when tested on lettuce and this may indicate one reason for invasion success. However, no significant difference was observed in phytotoxicity to lettuce seedling growth when two Australian biotypes of parthenium weed were compared, one invasive and one non-invasive, indicating that invasiveness was not associated with litter phytotoxicity in all cases. Residue from the invasive parthenium weed biotype had a greater phytotoxic effect upon Australian native pasture grass species relative to the introduced pasture grass species with buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and bull Mitchell grass (Astreble sequarrosa C.E.Hubb) showing the greatest tolerance to parthenium weed phytochemicals. When compared with residue taken from plants that has a range of phytotoxic capacity, parthenium weed residue was considered to be only moderately phytotoxic suggesting that the phytotoxicity of its residue may not be the main reason for the plants invasive trait.

Survey on awareness and knowledge of farmers about plaguesome alien weed Parthenium hysterophorus in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh

Survey on awareness and knowledge of farmers about plaguesome alien weed Parthenium hysterophorus in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh

Phenological behaviour of Parthenium hysterophorus in response to climatic variations according to the extended BBCH scale

AbstractConsidering the importance of ecological and biological traits in imparting invasive success to the alien species, the phenological behaviour of an alien invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus was documented according to the extended BBCH scale in four different seasons. A phenological calendar was prepared using both two‐ and three‐ digit coding system, precisely describing the developmental stages of the weed. The phenological documentation is further supplemented with the dates corresponding to a particular growth stage, pictures of the representative growth stages and meteorological data of all the four seasons. Results revealed that the phenology of the weed altered in response to the changing temperature and humidity conditions but no apparent climatic condition could inhibit its germination or flowering. However, the emergence of inflorescence was highly sensitive to the temperature/photoperiodic conditions. Variations in the phenological traits of P. hysterophorus with changing environmental conditions explain the acclimatisation potential of the weed permitting its vast spread in the non‐native regions. Since the given phenological illustrations are accurate, unambiguous and coded as per an internationally recognised scale, they could be exploited for agronomic practices, weed management programmes, and research purposes.

Cost-effective cellulase production using Parthenium hysterophorus biomass as an unconventional lignocellulosic substrate

The potential of untreated Parthenium hysterophorus weed biomass was evaluated as a substrate for cellulase production. The cellulose in the biomass was used as the main source of carbon. Solid-state fermentation was carried out using Trichoderma reesei, and optimization of cultural conditions was done for maximization of cellulase production. The results revealed that highest cellulase production was achieved on the 8th day of incubation, at 30 °C, keeping solid-to-liquid ratio 1:2 when two discs of inoculum were used per gram of the substrate. The optimized inoculum age was 96 h for CMCase and 120 h for FPase. On studying the enhancing effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources, lactose and ammonium molybdate were found suitable, respectively. The optimized concentration of lactose for the highest CMCase and FPase activities was 1.5 and 1%, respectively. Ammonium molybdate was best at 1% concentration for both CMCase and FPase. Maximum CMCase and FPase activities obtained were 20.49 and 2.42 U/gds, respectively.

Allelopathic Effect of Parthenium hysterophorus L. on Germination and Growth of Peanut and Soybean in Ethiopia

The present study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of Parthenium hysterophorus weed on seed germination and early growth stages of peanut and soybean. Leaf, stem, and root aqueous extracts of Parthenium at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g/1000 ml concentrations were applied to determine their effect on both crops seed germination and early growth stages under laboratory conditions. Two runs of laboratory-based experiment with factorial Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was used to arrange treatments accordingly. The result of study revealed that peanut seed germination only significantly (P ≤ 0.05) responded to the parthenium stem and root extracts; where on average 2 and 4 seeds were germinated per petridishes, respectively under high concentration treatment of 10 g/1000 ml. whereas, soybean seed germination was significantly responded to all the parthenium plant parts extracts. However, the serious effects have been well observed under the treatments of 10 g/1000 ml stem extracts and 8 g/1000 ml root extracts, where no germination of soybean seed was recorded. Similarly, shoot length was seriously inhibited by the stem extracts for peanut and leaf extracts for soybean, accounting 5.67 and 1 cm, respectively. However, the least average root length of 3.33 cm for peanut and 0.67 cm for soybean has been noticed with the leaf aqueous extracts under 10 g/1000 ml. The study also revealed that the phytotoxicity of parthenium plant parts increase with the increasing concentrations of extracts. Phytotoxicity of parthenium has been more pronounced over soybean germination and early growth stages than peanut.

Management of the Parthenium hysterophorus through biochar formation and its application to rice-wheat cultivation in Pakistan

This study presents a suitable solution for management of the noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus by using its biomass for biochar formation. The impact of application of Parthenium biochar on soil and the rice wheat cultivation system was observed over a period of one year in field experiments. The treatments applied to the field were biochar (BC) only, recommended commercial fertilizer (CF) only, BC along with 50% of CF (BC+CF), and Control, without any treatment. The growth parameters of the plants were measured in the rice and wheat crops. Commercial fertilizer showed the best agronomic performance in rice and wheat, while similar results were obtained in the BC+CF application. However, the results were not so significant with BC only. It was observed that biochar application can cut down the cost of fertilizer to half although the yield obtained is just as good as with full application of CF.Biochar acted as a conditioner in field soil and improved the C/N ratio. Structure of soil as well as the water and nutrient holding capacity of soil was improved owing to macroporous nature of biochar revealed by SEM. However, applied biochar was not found very stable as the C content applied to the soil in the form of biochar decreased in the soil over a one-year period from 47.39% to 36.54%. This could be due to some original plant residues left in the biochar on account of incomplete pyrolysis in the partial absence of oxygen indicating a high H/C ratio of 0.64. This research suggests application of Parthenium biochar at lower rates annually not only providing fresh C content and charged surfaces to the soil but also a substrate and C source to the microbes inhabiting the macropores and mesopores present in biochar as indicated by SEM. The char formed from Parthenium biomass was environmentally sustainable by utilizing renewable supply of biogas in a fabricated hybrid cooking stove.

First report on karyotypic and morphometric analysis of a defoliator beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Jammu region (J&K), India

In the present study, the chromosomes of a defoliator beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata were studied from Jammu region (J&K). These beetles are bio-control agents for controlling the populations of poisonous weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Chromosome morphology, karyotype and morphometric data of chromosomes was done and the diploid number of the species was found to be 24. Meiotic observations included the pachytene, diplotene, late diakinesis and metaphase I bivalent stage. The sex chromosomes (XYp) included the submetacentric X chromosome and a small acrocentric Y chromosome. The study is useful in chromosomal evolution in the family Chrysomelidae and evolution of sex chromosomes in Coleoptera.

First record of the papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), in the Western Palaearctic

The papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) has been found in Israel for the first time. This is also the first record of this invasive species in the Western Palaearctic region. The mealybug was detected at two locations in Northern Israel and was not accompanied by its principal natural enemies. Paracoccus marginatus is highly polyphagous and may develop large populations in Israel on annona, hibiscus, mulberry, papaya and the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus.

Photo-patch and patch tests in patients with dermatitis over the photo-exposed areas: A study of 101 cases from a tertiary care centre in India.

Many patients with dermatitis over photo-exposed body areas are positive to many contact allergens and have a pre-existing allergic contact dermatitis. This study included patients who presented to a tertiary centre in India with dermatitis on photo-exposed body areas suspected of chronic actinic dermatitis. Their detailed histories were recorded and cutaneous and systemic examinations were performed. Patch testing was done in all the patients and photo-patch testing was carried out in 86 patients. Altogether 101 patients were included (69 males, 32 females). The most common presentation was lichenified hyperpigmented plaques on the photo-exposed sites. Photosensitivity was recorded in 64 (63%) patients and summer exacerbation in 52 (52%). Exposure to the Parthenium hysterophorus weed was recorded in 70 (69%) patients, 27 (26.7%) had a history of hair dye application and 20 (20%) had a history of atopy. Photo-patch test was positive in 11 (12.8%) patients and patch testing was positive in 71 (70%). Parthenium hysterophorus was the most common allergen implicated and was positive in three (4%) photo-patch and 52 (52%) patch tests. Other positive photo-patch test allergens were perfume mix, balsam of Peru, thiuram mix, Compositae mix and promethazine hydrochloride. Other common patch test allergens were parthenolide, colophony, fragrance mix and p-phenylenediamine (PPD) base. In the Indian population parthenium and perfume mix are the most common photoallergens in patients with dermatitis over photo-exposed areas, while parthenium, colophony, fragrance mix and PPD are the common positive allergens.

Phytotoxic Activity of Parthenium Against Wheat and Canola Differ With Plant Parts and Bioassays Techniques

Phytotoxic effects of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus were studied by using whole plant, leaf and root aqueous extracts at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10% (w/v) concentrations against germination and early seedling growth of wheat and canola. Studies were carried out both in Petri plates with filter paper as substratum placed in controlled conditions and soil-filled plastic pots placed in open environments. Pronounced variation was noted for phytotoxic activity of different plant parts of parthenium, aqueous extract concentrations, test species, and bioassay techniques. Aqueous parthenium extracts either inhibited or delayed the germination and suppressed seedling growth of test species over control. For both test species, all the germination attributes were suppressed to a greater extent in Petri plates than in plastic pots. Leaf extracts were more suppressive to germination of test species than whole plant and root extracts. Increasing extract concentration beyond 2.5% caused significant reduction in seedling dry biomass of both test species. Aqueous parthenium extract diminished chlorophyll contents of wheat and canola by 32-63% and 29 69%, respectively. Nevertheless, an increase of 9-172% and 22-60% in phenolic contents of wheat and canola was recorded. Canola appeared to be more susceptible than wheat at all extract concentrations. Present study concluded that bioassays conducted under controlled condition using filter paper as substratum may be misleading due to over estimation of allelopathic response and variation in potential of receiver and donor species. Furthermore, it implies that threshold concentrations of allelochemicals for test species in Petri plates are rarely reached under field conditions.

Vishishta Composting: A Fastest Method and Ecofriendly Recipe for Preparing Compost from Parthenium hysterophorus Weed

Introduction: Parthenium hysterophorus has become a huge problem throughout the world and is menacingly threatening the agriculture and environment. The existing methods for controlling or eradicating P. hysterophorus weed have their own limitations, that is, physical methods are very laborious, costly and ineffective in long term; chemical methods are costly and less environmental friendly and biological methods are not appropriate on large scale. The compost from Parthenium weed can be prepared to recycle the nutrients that are sucked by undesired weed from the soil. Presently, the available methods take a long time in preparing Parthenium compost, while the shorter methods are mostly less ecofriendly. In the present work, a method and recipe have been developed for preparing compost of Parthenium weed in comparatively less time (60 days only) and that too, in an ecofriendly manner; and it has been named as Vishishta composting. The term ‘Vishishta’ is a Hindi word, which means ‘something special’. Materials and Methods: In the present experiment, Parthenium weed was composted using rock phosphate, Trichoderma viride fungi culture powder and different organic wastes such as cow dung, sawdust, cow dung ash, dried fallen leaves and wheat straw in a duration of 60 days using the method of Vishishta composting. Results: The P. hysterophorus compost contains more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and other nutrients than farmyard manure. Overall status of the nutrients as-prepared compost is appreciable. Conclusion: In the present experiment, a method and recipe have been developed for composting Parthenium weed in shortest duration as compared to earlier methods available till date.

PM 9/20 (1) Parthenium hysterophorus

PM 9/20 (1) <i>Parthenium hysterophorus</i>

Critical competition period of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in maize

For minimizing yield losses due to infestation of a weed, it is essential to know about its critical period of competition in a specific crop. The yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to different competition periods (0, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after crop emergence (DAE), and competition throughout growing season) of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. was tested during autumn seasons of two consecutive years 2012 and 2013. Increasing parthenium competition period increased its dry weight up to 448% and relative competition index up to 52%. The corresponding increases in the uptake of N (up to 581%), P (up to 700%) and K (up to 669%) were also recorded. Parthenium weed competition period of 35 DAE decreased grain yield and harvest index of maize. However, number of grains and grain weight per cob, and 100-grain weight of maize were reduced at parthenium weed competition period beyond 42 and 56 DAE, respectively. Maize grain yield losses varied between 21 and 53% with parthenium competition period ranging from 35 DAE to full growing season. Maximum N, P, and K uptake by parthenium was 18.4, 2.4 and 17.7 kg ha−1, respectively. A three parameter logistic model was fitted to yield data in response to increasing durations of weed infestation. The critical timing of parthenium weed removal to avoid 5% and 10% maize grain yield loss was 8 and 17, and 13 and 23 DAE during year 2012 and 2013, respectively. Relatively shorter critical period of parthenium weed competition in maize crop suggested this weed to be highly allelopathic in addition to its competitive behavior.

The Invasive American Weed Parthenium hysterophorus Can Negatively Impact Malaria Control in Africa.

The direct negative effects of invasive plant species on agriculture and biodiversity are well known, but their indirect effects on human health, and particularly their interactions with disease-transmitting vectors, remains poorly explored. This study sought to investigate the impact of the invasive Neotropical weed Parthenium hysterophorus and its toxins on the survival and energy reserves of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. In this study, we compared the fitness of An. gambiae fed on three differentially attractive mosquito host plants and their major toxins; the highly aggressive invasive Neotropical weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in East Africa and two other adapted weeds, Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae) and Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae). Our results showed that female An. gambiae fitness varied with host plants as females survived better and accumulated substantial energy reserves when fed on P. hysterophorus and R. communis compared to B. pilosa. Females tolerated parthenin and 1-phenylhepta-1, 3, 5-triyne, the toxins produced by P. hysterophorus and B. pilosa, respectively, but not ricinine produced by R. communis. Given that invasive plants like P. hysterophorus can suppress or even replace less competitive species that might be less suitable host-plants for arthropod disease vectors, the spread of invasive plants could lead to higher disease transmission. Parthenium hysterophorus represents a possible indirect effect of invasive plants on human health, which underpins the need to include an additional health dimension in risk-analysis modelling for invasive plants.

Yield losses in maize (Zea mays) infested with parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.)

For cost-effective control of a weed, it is essential to know about its economic threshold level in a specific crop. The yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to varying densities of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. was tested during autumn seasons of two consecutive years 2012 and 2013. Increasing densities of P. hysterophorus (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 plants m−2) increased P. hysterophorus dry weight up to 433% and relative competition index up to 145%. Corresponding increases in the uptake of N (up to 336%), P (up to 180%) and K (up to 295%) were also recorded. Maize plant height and number of grains per cob were reduced at parthenium weed densities beyond 10 plants per m2. Five or more parthenium weed plants per m2 decreased grain yield, biological yield, 100-grain weight, grain weight per cob and harvest index of maize. Maize grain yield losses varied between 21 and 50% with P. hysterophorus density ranging from 5 to 20 plants m−2. Maximum N, P, and K uptake by P. hysterophorus was 78.0, 9.0 and 64.0 kg ha−1, respectively. The economic threshold of P. hysterophorus as determined by prediction model was 1.2 and 1.0 plants m−2 during year 2012 and 2013 indicating that parthenium weed in maize should be controlled at these density levels.

Evaluation of glycosyl hydrolases from thermophilic fungi for their potential in bioconversion of alkali and biologically treated Parthenium hysterophorus weed and rice straw into ethanol.

The aim of this work was to evaluate glycosyl hydrolases produced by diverse thermophilic fungal strains for saccharification of alkali and biologically (Trametes hirusita/Myrothecium roridum) treated Parthenium hysterophorus and rice straw. The compositional analysis of hydrolysates by HPLC showed distinct profiles of hexose, pentose and oligomeric sugars. Malbranchea cinnamomea was most efficient source of glycosyl hydrolases producing 283.8, 35.9, 129.6, 27,193, 4.66, 7.26(units/gds) of endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, β-glucosidase, xylanase, α-αrabinofuranosidase and β xylosidase, respectively. The saccharification of alkali and biologically treated carrot grass by culture extract of M. cinnamomea was further enhanced by supplementation of β-glucosidase produced by Aspergillus sp. mutant "O". The resultant hydrolysates containing glucose/xylose were fermented efficiently to ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae owing to presence of xylose isomerase (0.8 units/gds) activity in culture extract of M. cinnamomea resulting in production of 16.5 and 15.0 g/l of ethanol from alkali treated rice straw and carrot grass, respectively.

Tree species as a potential source of bio-herbicides for controlling Parthenium hysterophorus L.

To assess the herbicidal potential of Eugenia jambolana Lam., Ricinus communis L., Ziziphus jujuba L. and Ziziphus mauritiana L. against noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus L., germination bioassay using their 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% (w/v) and seedling growth bioassay using their 5% (w/v) (on dry weight basis) aqueous leaf extracts (ALE) were conducted. ALE of R. communis showed maximum reductions in germination percentage (79%), germination index (89%) and seedling biomass (88%) as well as maximum delays in mean germination time (211%) and time to 50% germination (265%) of parthenium whereas maximum reductions in its seedling length (47%) and seedling vigour index (97%) were shown by Z. mauritiana. Reciprocal dose–response relationship by probit regression analysis revealed that LC50 values of R. communis and Z. mauritiana are 1.04% and 1.44%, respectively. Therefore, R. communis and Z. mauritiana are potential sources of bio-herbicides against this weed.

Screening for type I polyketide synthases genes of endophytic Streptomycetes isolated from Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Polyketides are a vital group of secondary metabolites comprising of antifungal, antibacterial as well as anticancer agents. The multifunctional enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites are polyketide synthases (PKS) in which polyketide synthases type I (PKS-I) is mainly responsible for highly assorted group of metabolites with substantial medical importance. In this study molecular screening was done using six sets of degenerate primers to determine the presence of PKS-I gene cluster in endophytic Streptomyces isolated from the weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. A total of 40 endophytes were isolated and identified by morphological, biochemical and physiological characterization as belonging to the genus Streptomyces. The 16S rRNAgene sequencing of the selected isolates exhibited maximum similarity with different species of Streptomyces such as Streptomyces rochei (99%), Streptomyces litmocidini (99%), Streptomyces enissocaesili (99%), Streptomyces djakartensis (99%), Streptomyces olivaceus (99%), Streptomyces spp. (99%), Streptomyces plicatus (99%), Streptomyces geysiriensis (99%) and Streptomyces vinaceusdrappus (99%). The molecular screening revealed the presence of PKS-I gene with a PCR amplification products of size ∼300 bps, ∼320 bps and ∼700 bps in the isolates RT-13, RT-43, RT-47, RT-49, RT-54, RT-56, RT-57, RT-58, RT-59, RT-61 and RT-65 through all the six sets of primers used. To the best of our understanding no previous study has been carried out reporting the molecular screening of PKS-I genes in endophytic Streptomyces from Parthenium hysterophorus L. The results provide an insight into an unexplored environment containing endophytic Streptomyces harboring the polyketide synthases gene which if further investigated may lead to a new source of antimicrobial agents.