Efforts to destroy poisonous parthenium plants in Trichy District.

Dt.Collector Ms.Jayashree  launches  elimination of  parthenium plants

As announced by Tamilnadu Chief Minister Ms.J.Jayalalithaa in State Assembly recently, the State government takes all efforts to destroy poisonous parthenium plants across the State, Trichy District Collector Mrs.Jayashree Muralidharan in Perur Village of Andanallur Block launched the campaign of destroying parthenium plants.Mr.K.Paranjothi, formor MLA of Srirangam, current Liaison nominee of Honble Chief Minister for Srirangam constituency, Mr.Alagesan of Andanallur Block AIDMK Secretary, Leading farmer Sathanoor Vasu were present on this occasion. The farming technical person of SEVAI, K.Devendran opined that Parthenium Hystrophorous is a poisonous plant and the rapid growth of the Parthenium Hysterophorus weed had become a threat to the environment and biodiversity. It adversely affects the germination and growth of several crops.  Parthenium has invaded 35 million hectares across the country including crop land, wasteland and forest areas, according to the DWSR, which is preparing a report on this. Initially, the deadly weed occupied largely non-crop areas like wasteland, open forests and roadsides. Now it has now spread to cropping land at an alarming rate.   Parthenium has been declared noxious in America, Australia, India and many other countries especially those having tropical climates. Scientists describe it as a "poisonous, allergic and aggressive weed, the presence of parthenium in cropped lands results in yield reduction up to 40 per cent. It is also responsible for bitter milk disease in livestock fed on grass mixed with parthenium. The reasons for its fast spread are: High germination ability throughout the year, large seed production ability, High survival rate, Extreme adaptability in a wide range of habitats. Easy dispersal of seeds. The    Problems associated with Parthenium are:  It is a vigorous species, which colonizes in grassy land. It grows rapidly in bare areas along roadsides and water points,  It reduces the production of pasture, It is very expensive to control,  It is a major health hazard to human beings,  It emits carbon dioxide and hence, poses a problem to nitrogen fixation and becomes a parasite, dependent on standing crops and animals in its vicinity, Its pollens are a major cause of asthma, especially in children and elderly people. The farmers of SEVAI-Marutham thanked Tamilnadu Government for its efforts for destroying poisonous parthenium plants on war foot basis.-Govin