how parthenium hysterophorus is threat to biodiversity
Answers
Answer:
Parthenium hysterophorus is commonly known as congress grass or carrot weed. This weed rapidly covers the new surroundings and poses a serious threat to our environment. ...
It is also called as gajar ghas, white cap or top, gajari, chatak candani, nakshtra gida, safed topi etc. It is most commonly called as ‘gajar ghas’ as it appears like carrot plant. It is herbaceous, an annual plant belonging to subfamily Heliantheae and family Asteraceae (Compositae). It is a deadly weed infesting cropped and non-cropped areas. This weed rapidly covers the new surroundings and poses a serious threat to our environment. This weed has been fastly spreading from the last two decades.
Its origin is considered to be Mexico. In India, its occurrence was first noticed in Pune (Maharashtra) in 1955 and now it has spread throughout India. It is supposed to be introduced in India from the United States of America along with wheat and other cereals import. It has widely spread in India from Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir to Port Blair in Andeman and Nicobar. It is said that it was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 1963 from Madhopur in Punjab across the Ravi River all along the national highway. After that it has been spread all over Jammu and Kashmir. Presently its infestation is alarming as it has covered large area in the state. It has been observed that this weed has reduced crop yields and has also affected biodiversity in the state. It can be seen on roadside, railway tracts, vacant lands, wastelands, agricultural, horticultural and plantation crops, industrial areas, irrigation canals etc.Presently it is considered as one of the most problematic weed.