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Status of Biological Control of Parthenium Hysterophorus L. In India: A Review

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Abstract

Biological control efforts on Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) in India have gained momentum after the limitations of other methods were realized. Native surveys revealed a large number of insects, but none of them was host specific. Although the introduced beetle Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has established at the sites of initial releases, its real impact on the weed and performance in different parts of the country need further evaluation. Fungal pathogens of the weed hold promise for classical as well as microherbicidal control. The use of parthenium phyllody MLO as a biocontrol agent requires establishment of host and vector specificity. Mycotoxins are a potential group of herbicides on which serious studies are yet to begin. Studies on control of the weed through interference and allelopathy by Cassia uniflora Mill. (= C. sericea Sw.) (Leguminosae) have produced promising results. Toxic leachates of C. uniflora and autotoxic principles of the weed deserve attention. Integrated biocontrol strategies envisaged for wastelands using introduced insects and pathogens, allelopathic plants, and agroecosystems using native pathogens, mycotoxins and autotoxic principles, will help combat this apparently invincible weed.

Résumé

Les efforts contrôle biologique sur Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) en Inde se sont accélérés dès qu’on s’est rendu compte des limites des autres méthodes. Des recherches locales ont révélé un grand nombre d’insectes mais aucune d’elles n’étaient un hôte spécifique. Malgré que le coléoptère Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) récemment introduit se soit établi sur des sites où on l’a initialement élevé, son impact réel sur l’ivraie et le résultat obtenu dans d’autres régions du pays nécessite une plus ample évaluation. Les microbes pathogènes fongaux de l’ivraie donnent une lueur d’espoir tant pour le contrôle classique que pour le contrôle microherbicidal. L’utilisation de la phyllodie du parthenium MLO comme agent biocontrôle exige la connaissance de la spécificité de l’hôte et du vecteur. Les mycotoxins sont un groupe potentiel d’herbicides sur lesquels on doit commencer des études sérieuses. Les études sur le contrôle des mauvaises herbes au moyen d’interférence et d’allélopathie par la plante Cassia uniflora Mill. (= C. sericea Sw.) (Leguminosae) ont donné des résultats prometteurs. Les extraits toxiques du C. uniflora et des principes autotoxiques de mauvaises herbes mérite une attention particulière. Les stratégies intégrées du biocontrôle envisagées pour des terres en friche en utilisant des insectes et des pathogènes introduits, des plantes allélopathiques, et, peur des agroécosystèmes, l’utilisation des pathogènes indigènes, des principes mycotoxins et autotoxiques aideront à combattre cette mauvaise herbe apparemment invincible.

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  1. Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, G. K. V. K. Campus Bangalore, 560 065, India

    J. Srikanth & N. A. Pushpalatha

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Srikanth, J., Pushpalatha, N.A. Status of Biological Control of Parthenium Hysterophorus L. In India: A Review. Int J Trop Insect Sci 12, 347–359 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400011206

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