By highlighting the ill-effects of Parthenium, TNAU has made farmers in Sandhiyur village, Salem to take a pledge that they shall remove the dangerous weed from their farms and also in public utility areas of their village.
In connection with Parthenium Awareness Week, observed between August 16-22, the AICRP Weed Management Unit, Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University organized a series of beneficial programs for the students of TNAU and to the farmers of various regions.
Parthenium is a noxious plant, inhabits many parts of the world, in addition to its native range in North and South America and the West Indies. 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. A single Parthenium plant able to produce 10,000-25,000 seeds and 1,54,000 seeds/m2 area. The Parthenium seeds are viable for more than 10 years. This plant creating severe ill effects to the human being, livestocks and crop yield losses.
On the first day, a webinar on ill effects of Parthenium was given to Under Graduate and Post Graduate students of TNAU. On the following day, the famers of Periyakumarapalayam, Erode district were sensitized about the Parthenium and leaflets on Parthenium were distributed to the farmers and public. A team from TNAU released zygogramma beetles in the Parthenium infested areas.
Awareness meeting was also organized at Public Park of Bhavanisagar Dam wherein C.R.Chinnamuthu, Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, P.Murali Arthanari, Associate Professor (Agronomy) and PI, AICRP on Weed Management, TNAU explained about the ill effects of Parthenium and its Management.