CHEMICAL CONTROL OF Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Parthenium hysterophorus weed is an alien invasive weed species spreading very fast in Pakistan and in many other parts of the world. In this present study, we investigated the chemical control of P. hysterophorus using two herbicides, glyphosate and isoproturon at different doses (at ¾ and ½ of the recommended), tested first under glasshouse conditions and then under field conditions in Islamabad. Under glasshouse conditions, the recommended doses of both the herbicides resulted in 100% mortality of the weed 21 days after spray (DAS). The ½ and ¾ doses of glyphosate resulted in 60% and 90% mortality of P. hysterophorus plants, respectively 21 DAS. Under field conditions, ½ and ¾ of the recommended doses of glyphosate resulted in 100%, 80% and 30% mortality of P. hysterophorus plants, respectively 21 DAS. However, the most effective dose for isoproturon was the recommended dose that resulted in 80% mortality of the weed plants 21 DAS. This study concluded that both of these selective herbicides, glyphosate and isoproturon are effective in killing of P. hysterophorus but glyphosate is comparatively more effective as compared to isoproturon.