Abstract: Parthenium hysterophorus L., being a declared invasive weed is threatening the biodiversity and human health in several areas of India. Several researchers have documented the allelopathic effect of this weed. Therefore, Parthenium management would remain a great concern of the century. However, several studies proposed that Parthenium can be used as a Green manure, compost, biocontrol, soil ameliorate that may improve physical, chemical and biological properties of the soils and is a source of readily available plant micro- and macro-nutrients. Numerous studies revealed that the integrated use of Parthenium in soil modifies the physico-chemical, biological and nutritional quality of the soil. Parthenium has great potentiality in agriculture due to its efficacy in modification of soil health and crop performance. The high concentration of elements (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in composted Parthenium increases the yield of many agricultural crops. An exhaustive review of numerous studies of last two decades took place in this study, which systematically covers the importance, scope and apprehension regarding utilization of Parthenium in agriculture. Parthenium hysterophorus can be used as a bioherbicide. Appreciable quantity of nutrients in Parthenium can be utilized to nourish the crops after composting and a lot of green Parthenium can be destroyed. This suggests that composting of uprooted Parthenium, or use as a green manure and Parthenium extract may reduce its spreading and inhibit the weed growth as well as menace of human health hazards worldwide.
Prem Kishor, A.K. Ghosh, Surendra Singh and B.R. Maurya, 2010. Potential use of Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in Agriculture. Asian Journal of Agricultural Research, 4: 220-225.
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