TNAU sensitizes public on ill effects of Parthenium by observing 'Parthenium Awareness Week' from Aug. 16-22 in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: To create awareness amongst the general public, farmers, school and college students, and policy makers and planners about the impact of the obnoxious parthenium weed and how to manage the weed, ‘Parthenium Awareness Week’ was observed from August 16 to 22 by the AICRP Weed Management Unit, Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

A webinar on the ill effects of Parthenium was held for farmers from different Farmers Producers Organizations located in and around Coimbatore which was coordinated by the Isha Outreach team. Subsequently, a series of Parthenium Awareness Programs was conducted with UG, PG and Ph.D., scholars of TNAU at Millet, Eastern block farms of the University. The students actively participated and eradicated the Parthenium.

Corporation school students were sensitized about the Parthenium and essay competitions were conducted with prizes awarded to winning students. The famers of Thondamuthur were also sensitized about the Parthenium and leaflets on Parthenium were distributed to the farmers and locals, while also releasing zygogramma beetles in Parthenium-infested areas.

As part of the 'Parthenium Awareness Week 2022.' awareness meetings on Parthenium was held at the Sri Ranganathar Engineering College, Narasipuram. Dr. S Panneerselvam, Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, Dr. P Murali Arthanari, Associate Professor (Agronomy) and PI, AICRP on Weed Management, TNAU explained about the ill effects of Parthenium and how to manage it. Vijaypriya, Admin-Incharge of the College and the Vice Principal were also present at the program.

A sensitization programme about Parthenium was organized for farm labourers and elementary school students, and labourers and students took an oath that “they will remove the Parthenium in their farm and public utility areas.” The above programmes were organized and coordinated by Dr. P Murali Arthanari, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator; AICRP Weed Management and Dr. C Bharathi, Assistant Professor (Soil Science).

Parthenium hysterophorus L (Asteraceae) , a noxious plant, is found in many parts of the world in addition to its native range in North and South America and the West Indies. A single Parthenium plant is able to produce 10,000- 25,000 seeds and 1,54,000 seeds/m 2 area. The Parthenium seeds are viable for more than 10 years. This is a weed of global significance responsible for severe human and animal health issues, such as dermatitis, asthma and bronchitis, and agricultural losses besides a great problem for biodiversity.