PARTHENIUM (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) DISTRIBUTION AND ITS BIO-RESOURCE POTENTIAL FOR RICE PRODUCTION IN PUDUCHERRY, INDIA

Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is an important problematic invasive weed of India. It is known to cause severe economic, environmental, human and animal health problems. It achieved the status of weed of national importance in India. The existence of parthenium was noticed in the Puducherry, a coastal town of South India. Hence, the distribution and its bio-resource potential were investigated on growth and yield of rice at Union Territory of Puducherry during 2008-09. A weed survey, using list or census quadrat method was conducted to study the distribution and intensity of parthenium in Puducherry. A field experiment was carried out to investigate the possibility of using Parthenium weed as a potential bio-resource to increase the rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. Results of weed survey indicated that Parthenium had encroached into the majority of villages in Puducherry (87.5%) except the sea shore villages. It was also found to infest the fields of agricultural and horticultural crops like sugarcane, banana and coconut. Results of field experiment indicated that use of parthenium as a nutrient bio-resource significantly increased productivity of rice (4.57 t/ha) compared to non-application (4.13 t/ha) and reduced the fertilizer application by 25%.