Status, invasiveness and environmental threats of three tropical American invasive weeds (Parthenium hysterophorus L., Ageratum conyzoides L.,
Lantana camara L.) in India |
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Authors: | Ravinder K Kohli Daizy R Batish H P Singh Kuldip S Dogra |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Environment, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India |
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Abstract: | Invasive weeds have threatened the integrity of ecosystems throughout the world. They affect not only the species diversity
of native areas but also their biological integrity. In India, a number of invasive exotic weeds have been reported but some
viz. Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara and Ageratum conyzoides, especially those from tropical America are troublesome and have caused adverse ecological, economic and social impact. These
weeds can be seen growing in different landscapes but are luxuriantly localized in unattended forests and cultivated areas.
Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae, commonly known as congress grass) is perhaps the most troublesome and noxious weed of urban and rural India.
Besides rapidly colonizing areas replacing the native vegetation, it is also known to cause a number of human health problems
such as skin allergy, rhinitis and irritation to eyes of the residents in the vicinity. Likewise, it causes fodder scarcity
in addition to being unpalatable and toxic to livestock. Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), another serious tropical American pest, has encroached upon large areas of land, especially the forests where
it has virtually replaced the forest floor vegetation and reduced tree growth. Also because of its bushy and spreading type
of growth it obstructs forest operations. The third weed, Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae, Billy goat weed) has invaded agricultural fields. It interferes with crops and causes yield reductions of major
staple crops of India. When it invades rangeland areas, it out competes native grasses causing scarcity of fodder. These weeds
have similar growth strategies such as fast growth rates, short life-cycles, greater reproductive potential, high competitive
abilities and allelopathy that make them successful invaders of native habitats. Mechanical, chemical, biological and cultural
control tactics have failed individually, though integrated approaches combining all these approaches along with community
participation and proper land management have been relatively successful. This paper presents various aspects of biology,
ecology, hazards and control measures of these weeds. |
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Keywords: | Ageratum conyzoides allelopathy invasive weeds Lantana camara Parthenium hysterophorus tropical America |
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