Parthenium week concludes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22 2013:
The Parthenium Awareness Week observed across the country since August 16 concluded today with awareness programmes on parthenium for school children held at five different places in Imphal East district.
Speaking at the concluding functions, Directorate of Extension Education, CAU Imphal Director Prof M Premjit called upon local club volunteers, NGOs, farmers' clubs and school students to weed out parthenium species of grass from the soil of Manipur.
As a part of the closing programme, parthenium or Congress grass were either uprooted or administered weedicides jointly by KVK Imphal East and school students at Andro Machengpat, Yairipok Yambem, Top Chingtha, Angtha and Poirou Khongjil.
Parthenium also known as Congress Grass or Carrot Weed is now growing abundantly and spreading fast on the soil of Manipur.
Touching this variety of weed causes itching sensation.
It can also cause asthma and breathing problems.
Moreover, parthenium can lead to drastic fall in crop yield.
This weed can be seen growing abundantly along Nambul river bank as one goes by Mayai Lambi.
The plant looks like chandramukhi or laibakngou and bear small white flowers.
The best way to destroy this weed is to uproot the plants and set them afire.
It can also be controlled by administering them with the weedicide Glyphosate before the plants start bearing flowers, said researches and experts.
The plant also poses threats to the local environment and biodiversity, said scientists associated with the All India Coordinated Research Programme.