Diversity of Parthenium hysterophorus and associated weeds in the Chitrakoot District

Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Carrot grass) is an annual herb of neotropical origin that now has a serious problem and pantropical distribution. It was first reported in India in 1950 at Pune (Maharashtra). This weed is very aggressive and commonly known as Congress grass and carrot grass in India. It has achieved major weed status in India within a relatively short period of time. P. hysterophorus is grown mostly in cultivated fields, fallow lands, pasture and along the roadsides. To analyse the distribution of this weed in Chitrakoot district an exhaustive survey was performed in the holly place of Uttar Pradesh like Rajapur, Pahadi, Karwi and M.G.C.G.V. campus. During survey, the distribution of P. hysterophorus was measured in the agricultural lands, road side, river side and fallow lands. Moreover, the study also investigated the harmful effect of Parthenium upon native weeds and flora in the Chitrakoot district. Quadrates method (1mx1m) was used to collect the data of distribution and population of this weed. In this investigation, total 14 weed species were recorded belonging to 8 different families and 14 genera. The data were recorded by Absolute density (m2), relative density (%), absolute frequency (%), relative frequency (%) and importance value (%) of Parthenium and other associated weeds. The finding reveals that Parthenium weed is the most dominant species in comparison to other associated weeds. In conclusion, the Parthenium weed become a serious problem and replaces the entire native flora in the non-crop area. Due to no proper management and high growth rate, nowadays it becomes as super weed in the Chitrakoot district. So, the management of Parthenium weed requires the call attention from the Government Policy makers and proper quarantine inspection to conserve the native flora and fields crops to get maximum crop yield.