Management of parthenium weed by extracts and residue of wheat

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the prospects of using methanolic extracts and residue of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for the management of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.), one of the world’s worst weeds. In a laboratory bioassay, the effect of methanol extracts of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% (w/v) concentrations of four wheat varieties namely: AS 2002, Inqalab 91, Ufaq and Uqab was studied against the germination and seedling growth of parthenium. Extracts of all the four wheat varieties suppressed germination as well as root and shoot growth of the seedlings. In soil amendment bioassay, dried and chopped wheat straw of the four test wheat varieties was thoroughly mixed in pot soil at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% (w/w). Pots were irrigated with tap water and left for one week followed by sowing of seeds in these pots. The effect of residue incorporation of all the wheat cultivars was insignificant on germination of parthenium seeds. However, all the residue incorporation treatments significantly reduced the survival percentage of the parthenium seedlings. Root and shoot growth in terms of length, and fresh and dry biomass were also significantly suppressed by residues of all the four test wheat cultivars. This study concludes that parthenium weed can effectively be managed by amending the soil with wheat residue.

Key words: Non-chemical weed control, parthenium, wheat residue.