Biology of Zygogramma Bicolorata Pallister on Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. under Laboratory Conditions

Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. is one of the most aggressive, invasive weeds threatening natural and agricultural ecosystems in the world including Nepal. Augmentative release of host-specific, leaf feeding beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the sustainable management approaches of parthenium weed. Successful mass rearing program requires knowledge on biology of Z. bicolorata for augmentative release. Thus, life cycle and biology of Z. bicolorata were studied in lab at 26±2 °C temperature and 70±10% relative humidity at NARC, Lalitpur, Nepal during March to September, 2016. The average incubation, larval and pupal periods of the insect were 4.33, 12.20, and 11.00 days, respectively. A single female could lay 1,837 eggs in 58.80 days oviposition period with 73.01% egg hatchability. The insect completed its life cycle in 108.40 and 105.50 days with adult longevity of 91.90 and 75.00 days for females and males, respectively. The average length of egg, pupa, adult female and male was 1.19 mm, 5.90 mm, 6.58 mm and 5.32 mm and breadth 0.51 mm, 3.74 mm, 3.94 mm and 3.20 mm, respectively. The average lengths of the first, second, third and fourth instar larvae were found 1.30 mm, 3.02 mm, 4.96 mm and 8.08 mm and breadth of 0.44 mm, 1.13 mm, 2.02 mm and 3.16 mm, respectively. These findings will help in mass multiplication of Z. bicolorata for biological control of parthenium weed.

Growth Performance of Malaysian Parthenium hysterophorus under Various Environmental Variables

Parthenium weed is an invasive weed species of economic importance worldwide. Native to the American tropics, the infestation ability of Parthenium weed to a new habitat is largely influenced by environmental factors. Despite Parthenium weed invasion in Malaysia dated back to 2013, investigation on its ecological behavior is still lacking. Hence, extensive studies on the ecological behavior of two predominant Malaysian Parthenium weed populations were executed. In the Petri dish seed bioassay, germination of Parthenium weed seeds was evident at temperatures up to 80 °C. Parthenium weed was also germinable in saline condition of up to 250 mM, osmotic pressure ranging from −1.2 to 0 MPa, and a wide range of pH (4–9), thus these abiotic conditions are by no means the limiting factors for the Parthenium weed. The pot trial observed that this invasive weed grew readily in various Malaysian soil textures. Parthenium weed successfully emerged from 0 cm to not beyond 2 cm soil burial and retained its emergence capacity under different submergence periods in water. The most favorable soil moisture condition for Parthenium weed emergence was saturated (0 kPa), followed by field capacity (−30–−50 kPa), while no emergence occurred in drought (−70 kPa) as well as flooded soils. These indicate that both Parthenium weed populations possess high tolerance to various abiotic conditions in Malaysia. Results obtained in the current study have crucially become guidelines for the local government authorities in predicting wide spread of Parthenium weed in diverse ecological zones, to further manage this pernicious weed efficiently.

The Impact of Parthenium Weed-Amended Substrates on the Germination and Early Growth of a Range of Pasture and Crop Species

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is an internationally important invasive weed native to the tropical and sub-tropical Americas, and invasive in more than 30 countries. This weed has serious adverse influences on rangeland and agricultural crop production, on human and animal health, and on the biodiversity of natural communities. Parthenium weed leaf litter can reduce seedling emergence and affect the early growth of a wide range of pasture and crop species. Soil collected from a heavily infested parthenium weed area was shown to reduce seedling emergence of a wide range of test plants (lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), maize (Zea mays L.), curly windmill grass (Enteropogon acicularis L.), and liverseed grass (Urochloa panicoides P.Beauv.)) by between 20 to 40%; however, the soil had no effect on the subsequent growth of the surviving test plants. Soil amended with dried parthenium weed leaf litter reduced the emergence of test species by ca. 20 to 40%, but it had no effect on the growth of the surviving test plants. One week after emergence, the growth of all test species was stimulated by 9 to 86% in the leaf litter-amended soil with the increased growth matching the increased amounts leaf litter amended. In parthenium weed-infested landscapes, the substrate (soil) is affected by the plant during the growing season by the release of allelopathic chemicals. However, the plant’s litter can affect the community outside of the growing season, first through a residual allelopathic activity, but also by a fertilizing effect as litter breakdown occurs. This study demonstrates the significant ability of parthenium weed to affect plant communities throughout the year and, when considered over several years, this may lead to the creation of a complete monoculture of the weed.

Distribution and Biology of the Invasive Weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. in Israel

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) (Asteraceae; Heliantheae) is an invasive allergenic species that has invaded many countries worldwide, probably through an imported pasture, grain seeds, and livestock feed. In recent years, there has been increasing concern about the spread of the invasive P. hysterophorus in agricultural and non-agricultural habitats across Israel. In addition, as P. hysterophorus is a quarantine plant; any contaminated produce exported will be rejected by the European market. The current study aims to document the current distribution and invasiveness status of P. hysterophorus in Israel. Moreover, we aimed to study the life cycle and biology of P. hysterophorus. In this research, we detected invasion reports to new areas and habitats in the Jezreel valley, the Jordan valley, and the Mediterranean coastal plain. Studying the biology of the weed, we found that optimal temperatures for seed germination are between 15 and 25°C. We observed that P. hysterophorus seeds are able to emerge from a depth of 0–3 cm only. P. hysterophorus thrives under high light intensities. Our results show that under induced shading of 60 and 90%, a significant reduction in biomass, height, and a number of flowers per plant were observed. Studying the biology and phenology of P. hysterophorus is a crucial step in the path to develop an integrated management program aimed to reduce the further spread and negative impacts by P. hysterophorus.

Exploring of the Potential of Parthenium Weed Ash as Substitute for Commercial Alkali for Preparation of Laundry Soap: As a Means to Control Invasion of Parthenium

Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) weed is a noxious plant which inhabits many parts of the world. It is responsible for rapid environmental pollution causing a reduction in crop productivity by infesting farm lands and grazing lands. It also causes severe human and animal health problems. The aim of this study was assessing the potential of parthenium weed ash as a substitute for commercial alkali for the preparation of soap. Alkali solution was prepared from partheniun weed ash. Tests on its alkalinity properties revealed that the lye can be used for soap making. Similarly, the tests on physicochemical properties of the collected used cooking oil samples were found to be 141.0 ± 0.4–153.8 ± 0.33 mg KOH/g, 11.28 ± 0.5–14.1 ± 0.5 mg KOH/g, and 0.16 ± 0.2–0.19 ± 0.25 milieq/g for saponification value, acid value, and peroxide value, respectively. The data indicated that both the prepared lye solution and the collected used cooking oils would be suitable for soap preparation. Moreover, analyses of the moisture content, total alkali content, total fatty matter, the pH value, and chloride content of the prepared soap materials were found to be in the ranges of 10.5 ± 0.01–13 ± 0.01, 0.39 ± 0.01–1.63 ± 0.05%, 64.5 ± 0.16–76.4 ± 0.15%, 10.5 ± 0.03–10.63 ± 0.04, and 0.39 ± 0.2–0.45 ± 0.39%, respectively. The finding of the present study, is that it is possible to conclude that the Parthenium weed ash (or lye solution from this ash) and leftovers of used cooking oils can be used as cost-effective substitutes for commercial alkali solution and palm oil, respectively, for laundry soap preparation of acceptable grades. The finding also suggests that preparation of lye solution from parthenium weed ash can be used as an option for controlling the pollution of this invasive weed.