We have all seen the weed called Parthenium somewhere. It looks like a harmless small plant in clusters. But did you know this weed causes severe health issues in humans and animals?

This weed has North and South America and the West Indies as its native range but inhabits many parts of the world. It can cause dermatitis, asthma and bronchitis, and agricultural losses besides being a great problem for biodiversity.

Hence the AICRP Weed Management Unit, Department of Agronomy at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore observed Parthenium awareness week between August 16th and 22nd with different stakeholders to create awareness about this weed.

Awareness about its impact and how to manage it was created among the general public, farmers, school and college students and policymakers and planners.

A webinar on the ill effects of Parthenium was held for farmers from different Farmers Producers Organizations located in and around Coimbatore, with coordination support from the Isha Outreach team.

A series of Parthenium awareness programs were conducted with UG, PG and Ph.D., scholars of TNAU at Millet, Eastern block farms of the University. The corporation school students and farmers of Thondamuthur were sensitized about the Parthenium. Zygogramma beetles that feed on this weed were released in the Parthenium-infested areas.

Another awareness meeting was organized at Sri Ranganathar Engineering College, Narasipuram. S.Panneerselvam, Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, Prof. P.Murali Arthanari, PI, AICRP on Weed Management, TNAU explained the ill effects of Parthenium and its Management.